Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave

A new right to Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave came into effect on 6 April 2026.

This will support employees who lose their partner or the mother of their child within the first year of their child's life or adoption. This is a day-one right, meaning employees are eligible from their first day of employment.

Key changes

• Employees whose partner or the mother of their child dies within the first year of the child's life (or within one year of adoption) have the right to take time off work.
• Employees may be eligible for up to 52 weeks of leave, depending on when the bereavement occurs.
• There is no statutory pay requirement – paid leave is at employer discretion.
• This is a day one right.

Actions to take:

• Check your bereavement and compassionate leave policies to ensure they include, or go further than, the new entitlement.
• Consider whether you will offer paid leave (this is not a legal requirement but may support staff wellbeing).
• Build line manager capability in handling sensitive requests.
• Communicate the new entitlement to your workforce.

Territorial extent

This introduction of Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave applies across England, Scotland and Wales. It does not apply in Northern Ireland, where legislation relating to Parental Leave and Pay law is devolved.

More information

Further guidance will be published on GOV.UK.

Explainer video: changes to parental leave