Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay

Please note: If an employee’s child has died or was stillborn before 6 April 2026, you should follow the legislative guidance for Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay - claims before 6 April 2026.

Effective from 6 April 2026, the following changes will apply to Northern Ireland employees only.

New eligibility for miscarriage from 6 April 2026

Employees who experience a miscarriage, or those who have a defined connection to a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, will now be entitled to Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay, ensuring support during this difficult time.

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay becomes a day one right

All cases of entitlement will qualify for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay from the first day of employment, removing previous service and reliance on actual earnings.

Employees can rely on either their actual earnings or expected earnings based on reasonable assumptions, ensuring that no employee is left unsupported at a time when compassion and understanding are essential to their welfare.

Employers should be aware that:

• cases where entitlement was gained before 6 April 2026 will continue under the existing rules
• the right for miscarriage entitlement is not retrospective and will not apply to miscarriages which occurred or were discovered before 6 April 2026
• all rights and entitlements currently available under Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay will be extended without exception to cases where eligibility arises due to miscarriage discovered on or after 6 April 2026

An employee may be eligible for Parental Bereavement Leave and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay if they or their partner either:

• has a child who has died under 18 years old
• had a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy
• experienced a miscarriage

The death, stillbirth, or miscarriage must have happened on or after 6 April 2026.