Bereavement Policy Template

This is an example of a workplace bereavement policy. An employer can adapt and use this policy.

It’s good practice to involve recognised trade unions or staff representatives in developing a bereavement policy.

If an employer plans to cover bereavement in an existing policy, they can use this policy to check these points are covered in the other policy. For example, if bereavement is included in an absence policy.

[organisation name] acknowledges the personal nature of bereavement and grief and is committed to supporting employees in practical and reasonable ways.

Paid bereavement leave

Bereavement leave is paid leave that allows an employee time off to deal with their personal grief and related practical arrangements, primarily, but not limited to, when a family member dies.

[organisation name] acknowledges that bereavement impacts all individuals differently and the guidelines below are intended to show the minimum paid leave an employee is entitled to in different circumstances.

[organisation name] acknowledges that not all employees will need to take the full allowance, and some employees will need additional time, depending on their relationship with the person who has died and the circumstances of the death. Additional time off can include [other time off]. Employees should check the organisation's policies on [relevant policies].

If a dependant dies

[dependant bereavement days] working days paid leave will be granted in the event of the death of a dependant.

A dependant could be a:

spouse, partner or civil partner (including same sex partners)*

child**

parent

step-parent

sibling

person who lives in the employee's household (not tenants, lodgers or employees)

person who would rely on the employee for help in the event of an accident, illness or injury, such as an elderly neighbour

person who relies on the employee to make care arrangements

*Partner includes someone the employee is cohabiting with but is not the employee's spouse or civil partner.

**Child includes children the employee is the adoptive parent, legal guardian or carer for. If the child dies under the age of 18 or is stillborn the employee may be entitled to additional leave.

If a non-dependant dies

In these circumstances, [nondependant bereavement days min] to [nondependant bereavement days max] days paid/unpaid leave may be granted on the death of someone who is not a child or dependant. These circumstances would include (but are not limited to) situations where the employee is responsible for funeral arrangements or has to travel abroad to attend the funeral.

Giving notice for bereavement leave

An employee should notify their line manager of their need to take leave as soon as possible or, at the latest, on the first day of absence. An employee's next of kin or family member can notify the employee's line manager on their behalf.

In exceptional circumstances, applications for leave will be considered after the first day of absence. Line managers have the right to exercise discretion in exceptional circumstances as outlined above. Leave days do not have to be taken consecutively.

Additional time off

Annual leave

In the event of a bereavement, an employee will be able to take annual leave at short notice to supplement their bereavement leave. Requests should be directed to the employee's line manager.

An employee who experiences a family bereavement while on annual leave can convert their annual leave into bereavement leave and take their annual leave at a future date.

Unpaid leave

Unpaid leave on compassionate grounds up to a maximum of [unpaid leave period] may be granted after bereavement. An employee must consult with their line manager before starting unpaid leave.

Parental bereavement leave

Employees are entitled to 2 weeks of Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave if their child:

dies under the age of 18

lives for only a short time after birth – this can be at any stage of pregnancy

is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy

Employees are also entitled to Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave if they have had an abortion after 24 weeks. In very limited circumstances an abortion can take place after 24 weeks if the mother's life is at risk or the baby would be born with a severe disability.

Employees can claim this leave if they are the:

birth parent

natural parent (the person who gave birth to the child who has since been adopted, but has a court order to allow them to continue having access to the child)

adoptive parent, if the child was living with them

person who lived with the child and had responsibility for them, for at least 4 weeks before they died

'intended parent' – due to become the legal parent through surrogacy

partner of the child's parent, if they live with the child and the child's parent in an enduring family relationship

Parental Bereavement Leave can be used within 56 weeks of the date of the death or stillbirth. It can be taken as either:

2 consecutive weeks

2 separate weeks

1 week only

In order to take Parental Bereavement Leave, an employee should tell their line manager:

when they want their Parental Bereavement Leave to start

whether they want to take 1 or 2 weeks' leave

the date of their child's death

To take or cancel Parental Bereavement Leave, an employee should also give their line manager the correct notice:

if within 8 weeks of the death or stillbirth – notice must be given before the employee would usually start work on the first day of leave

if more than 8 weeks after the death or stillbirth – notice must be given at least 1 week before the start of the planned leave

Parental Bereavement Pay

If an employee has been with [organisation name] for at least 26 weeks, they will be entitled to Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay if all of the following apply:

their child dies under the age of 18 or is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy

they were employed when their child died

they earn on average at least the average weekly minimum amount set by the government

To enable [organisation name] to pay the employee for this time off, the employee must ask in writing (give 'notice') for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay within 28 days of taking Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave, starting from the first day of the week they're claiming the payment for.

The notice should state the employee is entitled to Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and include:

their name

the start and end dates of the leave they want to claim the pay for

the date of their child's death

their relationship with the child

Enhanced parental bereavement leave and pay

On top of the 2 weeks Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay for parents, [organisation name] will grant eligible employees additional time off and pay.

[organisation name] will grant eligible employees a total of [enhanced bereavement weeks] weeks' paid leave. This is paid at [enhanced pay rate].

Miscarriage leave

If an employee or their partner has a miscarriage in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, [organisation name] recognises many people will consider this a bereavement.

In these circumstances, [organisation name] provides [miscarriage days] days leave. This time off will be paid/unpaid. This will be paid at [miscarriage pay rate].

Up to 2 weeks sickness absence related to a miscarriage will be recorded as 'pregnancy related sickness'. This absence will be kept separate to other types of sickness and [organisation name] will not count these absences towards any review or trigger points set out in the organisation's absence policy.

Miscarriage that happens at work

[organisation name] understands it can be a very distressing time if an employee's miscarriage happens at work.

Any employee who needs assistance, for example help contacting a partner or family member, or needs immediate medical help such as a first aider, can contact one of the following: [assistance contacts].

If an employee needs to leave the premises they should report a sickness absence to their line manager. An employee does not have to report the exact reasons for their sickness absence if they do not feel comfortable to. [employee assistance details].

Return to work

In certain circumstances a full return to work may not be possible for an employee following a bereavement. For example, when the employee's grief is likely to impact on their ability to perform their role, or where new child care arrangements have to be sourced or responsibility for the care of an elderly parent has transferred to the employee.

In such instances [organisation name] will allow a phased return to work on a part-time or reduced hours basis where practicable. Alternative duties may also be considered. Any such arrangement would need to be agreed in advance by the line manager. It would be subject to an agreed maximum number of days and would be managed in line with [organisation name]'s flexible working or part-time working policy.

Employee support

[organisation name] acknowledges that bereavement leave is intended to support employees in the immediate period around the death of a relative. However, the process of grief, the natural reaction and adjustment to loss and change may take a significant time and will be personal to each individual.

An employee with any concerns about the grieving process impacting on their work performance should discuss this in confidence with either their line manager or the Human Resources (HR) Department. This is to ensure that:

any reasonable adjustments that may be necessary are discussed and put in place

the employee is supported in their return to the full range of duties and responsibilities that they had prior to the bereavement

the employee's duties and responsibilities are adjusted (as necessary) with the prior agreement of line manager

[organisation name] recognises that people may not require counselling to cope effectively with their grief. However, for employees wishing to seek professional help in coming to terms with a death, the organisation will cover the cost of up to [counselling sessions] counselling sessions with an independent counselling practice. This is a confidential service and can be accessed directly through HR or the employee assistance programme.

Health and safety

Bereavement can have an impact on concentration, sleep and decision making. The health and safety assessment of the workplace will include consideration of the impact of bereavement on employees, their duties and responsibilities, and the context in which they are working. For example, if they operate heavy machinery.

Any employee who is concerned about their ability to conduct their duties safely in the weeks following a bereavement must discuss this with their line manager.

[organisation name] reserves the right to request an employee to meet the organisation's doctor before resuming full duties.

Culture and diversity

[organisation name] recognises that different cultures respond to death in significantly different ways.

Line managers will check whether the employee's religion, belief or culture requires them to observe any particular practices or make special arrangements which would require them being off work at a particular time. Employees should not assume that their line manager is aware of any such requirements and should draw this to their line manager's attention as soon as possible.

Line managers who are unsure of how to respond to a bereaved employee from a different culture should ask the bereaved employee or someone else from their cultural group about what is appropriate.