Acas has published new advice for employers on time off work for bereavement. The guidance covers:

• leave and pay when someone dies, including the statutory right to time off for dependants
• the position if an employee’s child dies
• the position if an employee or their partner has a stillbirth or miscarriage
• the statutory parental bereavement leave and pay scheme
• supporting an employee after a death
• what to do if someone at work dies
• the benefits of a bereavement policy.

The guidance makes the point that everyone experiences grief differently, so it’s important to be sensitive to what each employee might need at the time and to consider their physical and emotional wellbeing, including once they have returned to work.

The guidance also states that having a bereavement policy in place will help to make clear how much time off and pay staff are entitled to and how managers can respond and support staff after a death. There is also a link to a free bereavement policy template.

Source: New feed