Grief is not a luxury.  

Right now in the UK, there is no general legal right to paid bereavement leave.

Under current law, only parents who lose a child under 18 are protected under the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018. Everyone else, those who lose a partner, parent, sibling, grandparent, or suffer miscarriage before 24 weeks, have no guaranteed paid time off.

That means grieving employees must:

Use annual leave
Take unpaid days
Or return to work immediately to avoid losing income
This is not compassion. It is a legal gap.

 
A Real Example:
In 2023, a retail worker in England lost her mother suddenly. She was told there was no paid bereavement leave available. She had to use holiday days to attend the funeral and returned to work days later to avoid missing pay.

While grieving.

This happens every day across the UK because the law allows it.

 
I am Calling For:
- A minimum of 10 days paid statutory bereavement leave coverage for close family members, siblings, children and partners
- Protection from retaliation for taking leave
- Recognition of modern families and pregnancy loss at any stage

Grief is universal. Protection should be too.

No one should have to choose between mourning a loved one and paying their bills.

Sign and share to demand compassionate bereavement rights in UK law.