Principle two - UK Commission on Bereavement

New legislation must require that all employers have a bereavement policy. Relevant government departments should publish guidance on minimum standards and best practice for large, medium-sized and small employers

While there are a number of initiatives in this space, there is still a lack of coordination and leadership to capitalise on these individual initiatives, and no statutory requirement to have a policy in place. In Great Britain, the Employment Rights Bill provides an opportunity – steering group members are asking parliamentarians to introduce an amendment requiring employers to have a bereavement policy.

Statutory bereavement leave and pay entitlement of 2 weeks must be extended to encompass all close relationships

The UK Government is introducing a day one right to bereavement leave for employers through the Employment Rights Bill. This will bring in the right to one week’s leave for employees bereaved of a close relative. The steering group has met with the Department for Business and Trade and briefed into Second Reading of the Bill. Partners will continue to campaign on the duration and structure of bereavement leave, the definition of ‘close relationship’, and the need for bereavement leave to be paid.

Statutory Bereavement Leave

All education establishments (early years, schools and further and higher education) must be required to have a bereavement policy including staff training, and a process for supporting a bereaved child or young person and their family

While there are pockets of excellent practice, the lack of guidance and leadership from governments means there is great inconsistency between (and within) schools and other education establishments. A petition asking the government to create a registry of bereaved children so that the scale of the issue can be revealed, and these children and their families can be offered support proactively, was debated in Parliament in December 2024.