Previously: 

Bereavement leave was only available to employees who experienced the loss of a child under 18 or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. There was no statutory entitlement for other forms of bereavement. 

Now (from 6^th April 2025): 

The right to bereavement leave has been extended to cover a wider group of personal relationships. This leave is: 

• A day-one right for all employees. 

• A minimum of one week per qualifying bereavement. 

• Available for each person who has died (i.e. multiple leave periods if more than one bereavement occurs). 

The qualifying relationships will be defined in regulations, and the leave must be taken within at least 56 days of the death. 

Important: There is no statutory right to paid leave under this extension. Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) continues to apply only in cases of child loss or stillbirth. Screen sector businesses can choose to offer paid compassionate leave beyond this minimum. 

A new right is expected to be introduced in 2025 (subject to secondary legislation) that will allow fathers or non-birthing partners to take paternity leave in the event of the death of: 

• The mother, or 

• A person with whom a child is placed (or expected to be placed) for adoption. 

The proposed leave would: 

• Operate in a similar way to maternity leave. 

• Last up to 52 weeks. 

• Apply from day one of employment. 

Although final regulations are awaited, screen sector businesses should begin preparing by: 

• Updating internal policies to reflect this new right. 

• Ensuring production leads and managers are trained to handle sensitive cases appropriately, if possible. 

The screen industry frequently works with a mix of employees, workers, and freelancers. These changes: 

• Provide clarity and protection for employees in bereavement situations. 

• Highlight ongoing gaps for freelancers, who are not covered by these statutory rights. 

• Emphasise the importance of having clear and compassionate internal policies, especially on productions where roles are short-term or non-traditional.