The real cost of losing someone shouldn’t show up in your bank balance, but the truth is, it absolutely does.
Unpaid leave to sort through the life admin of losing a loved one doesn’t go far enough – where is the opportunity to grieve? Many employees don’t receive a consistent approach from employers when it comes to navigating loss, so how do the upcoming changes in legislation affect you?
Let’s take a look.
Current rights
Until April 2027, if your partner, parent or sibling dies, your only statutory right is ‘time off for dependants’. The interpretation is sketchy, it basically means a ‘reasonable’ amount of unpaid time to deal with the emergency, for instance funeral arrangements, or attending the funeral. There is no designated time for the employee to grieve. This is where the new changes come in.
New changes
From April 2027, there will be an official right to bereavement leave.
The right to bereavement leave will apply to all employees who lose a spouse or partner, parent, adult child (children under 18 are already covered by parental bereavement leave) or sibling. The new legislation also covers step, half, adoptive, kinship care and foster relationships, recognising the large proportion of blended families that operate in the UK today (1 in 3 families).
How much time?
The bill is expected to allow employees two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave (up from the one-week minimum the act originally set out).
What’s the qualifying period?
There is no qualifying period required, meaning employees starting their employment have the same rights as an employee who’s worked in the company for 20+ years.
When should you take the leave?
There is some flexibility when it comes to taking leave. Within the first 56 weeks of the loss, you can take it as one go or as single days to help with things like funerals, inquests or anniversaries. The life admin around loss doesn’t necessarily happen straight away. The ability to split up the leave can accommodate unique situations, not all losses are the same.
Do you need to provide evidence?
No, the new rights mean you are not required to provide evidence of your loss.
Do you get paid leave under the new rules?
No, it’s still unpaid leave. Whether it’s paid or unpaid will remain at the discretion of your employer. The leave is also limited to immediate family, so grandparents, aunts, uncles, close friends and in-laws don’t currently appear on this list meaning it’s up to your employer’s goodwill if they wish to accommodate any leave under the new legislation.
New miscarriage bereavement leave
Currently, women and their partners who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks are excluded from any official bereavement leave. This has always been left to the goodwill of the employer.
Under current proposals the new legislation will see both women and their partners receive two weeks of unpaid leave no matter their type of loss, including miscarriage, terminations and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers, giving people the necessary time to grieve. It’s worth noting that in Northern Ireland, employers are required to give two weeks of statutory paid leave for employees who experience a miscarriage or pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
Financial foundations matter
If you’re concerned about the financial impact of losing a loved one. Here are our top tips for staying in control when the inevitable happens.
- Emergency Fund
Having a pot of money set aside for when life happens can really help you stay in control. Your emergency fund exists to help with a multitude of things, including flights to visit loved ones or attend funerals, funds to help contribute to a funeral or to cover outstanding bills, emergency accommodation or care facilities. Anything that can help support you in your or your loved ones’ time of need.
A healthy emergency fund helps you avoid leaning on credit. Find out how to build your emergency fund.
2. Protection
Depending on your circumstances, some people choose to take out life insurance to help provide financial support for their loved ones if they die. If you’re considering cover, it’s important to understand the options available and whether they are appropriate for your needs. You can explore your options with our life insurance partner, LifeSearch* or check out our easy guide to life insurance.
3. Write a will
October is Free Wills Month in the UK. If you’d like some clarity around what happens when you or your loved one passes away, you can work with our friends at Octopus Legacy and their charity partners to claim your free will.
*The above is a tracked link, which tells our partner that we sent you and may in the future result in a payment or benefit to our site.
Eligibility, cover levels and cost depends on individual circumstances. Life insurance may not be suitable for everyone.
The content produced by Financielle is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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Financielle is an Introducer Appointed Representative of LifeSearch Partners Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Registration Number: 656479.
