Compassionate leave policy template for UK employers

Compassionate leave is not a statutory right in the UK. The law gives employees a reasonable amount of time off for dependants when someone close to them dies, and two weeks of parental bereavement leave if they lose a child under 18.

Everything beyond that is your decision. How many days to give, whether they are paid and who counts as close family are all up to you.

The template covers bereavement, serious illness and emergencies, with a table where you enter the days for each relationship.

What the law requires

Two rights apply when an employee is bereaved. Everything else is set by your policy.

Time off for dependants covers arranging or attending a funeral and dealing with what follows. Employees should tell you as soon as possible how much time they need.

Parental bereavement leave doesn't need written notice or evidence. An employee can give notice by phone, text or email, and you can't ask for details of their relationship to the child.

What is coming in 2027

The Employment Rights Act 2025 creates a new right to statutory bereavement leave, expected in 2027. It will be unpaid. The government hasn't confirmed the start date, the length or which relationships it covers, so the template has a clause for you to update once it does.

Pregnancy loss has its own rules and its own policy. See [link to pregnancy loss template when live].

How many days to offer

The law sets no number of days for compassionate leave, so the amount is your decision. The template sets leave by relationship, with a table where you enter the paid and unpaid days for each.

Things to weigh when you set the numbers:

• How far the employee has to travel
• Whether they are arranging the funeral or supporting a family member
• Cultural or religious practices that affect how long mourning lasts
• Whether every employee in the same situation gets the same days

Beyond bereavement

Compassionate leave also covers a family member's serious illness and emergencies. Time off for dependants applies to an emergency involving a dependant, and there is no limit on how many times an employee can use it. It doesn't cover something they knew about beforehand, such as a planned hospital appointment.

The template covers both bereavement and illness, and sets out what you offer on top of the legal minimum.

FAQ

Is compassionate leave a legal right in the UK?

No. Employees have a legal right to reasonable time off for dependants and, if they lose a child, to parental bereavement leave. Anything beyond that is set by the employer.

How many days of compassionate leave should an employer give?

There is no legal number, so the amount is the employer's decision. The template sets days by relationship, with the numbers left for you to fill in.

Is compassionate leave paid?

It can be paid or unpaid, depending on your policy. Time off for dependants carries no right to pay, but eligible employees get statutory pay for parental bereavement leave.

What is the difference between compassionate leave and bereavement leave?

The two terms often overlap in policies. Compassionate leave is the broader one and also covers time off when a family member is seriously ill.

Who counts as immediate family in a policy?

The law doesn't define immediate family for compassionate leave, so your policy does. Time off for dependants covers a spouse, civil partner, partner, child, grandchild, parent, someone in the household and someone who relies on the employee.

What is time off for dependants?

It is a legal right to a reasonable amount of time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, including a death. There is no fixed limit and no right to pay.

What is parental bereavement leave and pay?

It is up to two weeks of leave for an employee whose child dies under 18 or is stillborn after 24 weeks, from their first day of work. Employees with 26 weeks' continuous service and earnings above the lower earnings limit also get statutory pay.

Can employees take compassionate leave for a close friend or a serious illness?

Yes, if your policy allows it. The law covers emergencies involving a dependant, but time off for a friend or for a planned or non-emergency illness is up to you.

What changes under the Employment Rights Act?

A new right to unpaid statutory bereavement leave is expected in 2027. The government hasn't confirmed the date, the length or which relationships it covers.

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