Statutory Bereavement Leave: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Statutory Bereavement Leave is a legal entitlement that provides paid time off to employees to grieve following the death of an immediate family member.

👤Who it's for

This scheme is available to employees who have reached a specific milestone in their employment. To qualify for this leave, you must have completed at least 6 months of continuous service with your employer. If you have been working with your employer for less than 6 months, you may not be entitled to this specific legal protection.

🎁What you get

When you qualify, you are entitled to 3 days of paid leave. This leave is specifically intended for situations involving the death of an immediate family member. Because this is paid leave, you should receive your regular pay for these days as per your standard employment terms.

💰What it costs you

There is no cost to you to access this leave. You do not need to pay any fees to the government or your employer to claim these days off. The primary requirement is the time spent communicating your situation to your employer and providing any necessary documentation if your employment agreement requires it.

⚠️The catch to know

It is important to understand that the 3 days provided is the legal minimum requirement. While your employer is required by law to provide this amount, they also have the discretion to grant you more time if they choose to do so. You may want to check your specific employment agreement to see if your workplace offers more generous terms than the national minimum.

📝How to apply

1. Contact your employer as soon as you are able to notify them of the death in your immediate family.
2. Request your 3 days of paid bereavement leave as part of your notification.
3. Check your workplace's specific policies to see if you need to submit a formal request or provide any specific details.
4. Review your employment contract to see if you are eligible for more than the 3-day minimum.