Home / Health / Grief Leave Expanded: Millions Gain New Bereavement Rights
Grief Leave Expanded: Millions Gain New Bereavement Rights
22 Sep
Summary
- Millions of workers gain new two weeks' leave rights.
- New laws cover early pregnancy loss and death of loved ones.
- Rights will come into force from April next year.
Starting April next year, millions of UK workers will be entitled to two weeks of bereavement leave. This expansion of employment law rights covers a wider range of deeply personal losses, including early pregnancy complications like miscarriage, termination, or unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers.
The new legislation also extends to the death of a spouse, partner, parent, adult child, or sibling. Stepparents, stepsiblings, adoptive relatives, kinship carers, and foster relationships are also included.
This reform follows extensive consultation and campaigning to provide formal recognition and support for employees experiencing loss. Work minister Kate Dearden stated that these changes aim to support individuals through difficult life events, ensuring no one has to struggle for time to grieve.
