Pandemic | Should staff receive extra paid bereavement leave?

Due to the increasing number of deaths related to COVID-19, the Government is now facing calls to introduce a minimum of two week’s paid bereavement leave following the death of a close relative of partner.

The coronavirus pandemic has contributed to 83,000 deaths in the UK so far.

According to Sky News, a number of MPs, business leaders and charities are all backing the notion and have asked for “a more compassionate approach”, adding that annual leave is “not appropriate” in cases of bereavement.

However so far, the Government has been reluctant to introduce statutory bereavement leave. Despite this, new measures have previously been put in place if parents lose a child.