From 6th April 2026, a new right to Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave will support employees who lose the mother or primary adopter 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
- The right to take time off work will apply where an employee’s child is less than a year old, or within the first year of adoption, and their mother or primary adopter has died.
- 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.
How employers can prepare
Before 6 April 2026:
- Review bereavement and compassionate leave policies.
- Create or update a specific policy for Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave.
- Consider offering paid leave (this is not a legal requirement but may support staff wellbeing).
- Brief line managers on handling sensitive requests.
- Communicate the new entitlement to your workforce.
PAYadvice.UK 17/2/2026 updated 18/2/2026