Family Leave & Bereavement Pack
People remember how they were treated when a baby arrived, when a child was placed with them, or when someone they loved died. So does everyone watching. Get it right and you keep good people. Get it wrong and you risk a missed statutory deadline, a discrimination claim, or losing someone who would have stayed. This pack gives your managers the letters, the dates and the words, from the first “I'm pregnant” to the first day back after a funeral.
Every type of family leave
Maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy, shared parental, neonatal care and unpaid parental leave, plus carer's leave and time off for dependants.
Kind, clear, human
Bereavement and pregnancy loss handled with care: what to say in the first conversation, a gentle confirmation letter and a plan for coming back.
Keep every deadline in view
A key dates tracker for statutory reply deadlines, KIT days and redundancy priority, plus a statutory pay calculator at 2026/27 rates.
Reflects the law in Great Britain
As at October 2026, including the day-one paternity and parental leave rights from April 2026 and the bereavement leave changes expected in April 2027.
What's included (21 customised documents)
Guidance & Policies
- How to Use This Pack
- Leaders' Guide to Family Leave and Bereavement
- Family Leave Policy
- Bereavement and Pregnancy Loss Policy
- Family Leave and Bereavement FAQ
Pregnancy & Maternity
- Pregnancy Acknowledgement and Maternity Leave Confirmation
- New and Expectant Mothers Risk Assessment (including breastfeeding)
- Keeping in Touch Days Agreement and Plan
- Return to Work Letter and Meeting Record
- Early or Changed Return Response
Partners & Other Parents
- Paternity Leave Confirmation
- Adoption and Surrogacy Leave Confirmation
- Shared Parental Leave Booking Response
- Neonatal Care Leave Confirmation
- Unpaid Parental Leave Response
Bereavement & Pregnancy Loss
- First Conversation Guide after a Death or Pregnancy Loss
- Bereavement Leave Confirmation
- Supporting Someone after Pregnancy Loss
- Return after Bereavement Check-in Plan
Tools (Excel)
- Family Leave Key Dates Tracker (reply deadlines, KIT days, redundancy priority dates)
- Statutory Family Pay Calculator (eligibility, key dates and weekly amounts, 2026/27 rates)
- 🔒 Secure payment via Stripe
- ✓ Written by a Chartered FCIPD professional
- ⬇ Instant download after customisation
Frequently asked questions
What does the law give someone who is having a baby?
Every pregnant employee can take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave from their first day. Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks to those with 26 weeks' service into the qualifying week who earn at least the lower earnings limit: 90% of average earnings for six weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% if lower (2026/27). The pack's calculator works out eligibility, key dates and weekly amounts.
Is paternity leave a day-one right now?
Yes. Since 6 April 2026, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave are day-one rights. Statutory Paternity Pay still needs 26 weeks' service and earnings at or above the lower earnings limit.
Do we have to match enhanced maternity pay for shared parental leave?
No. The Court of Appeal confirmed in 2019 that paying enhanced maternity pay but only statutory shared parental pay is not discrimination. The wizard lets you choose either way.
What is changing on bereavement leave?
The government expects a new day-one right to up to two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave to start in April 2027, after the death of a close relative or a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. The regulations have not been made yet. The pack follows the government's published plans, flags them as expected, and lets you offer the leave now if you want to.
Can we ask for evidence after a bereavement or pregnancy loss?
Under the new right expected from April 2027, the government says employees should not have to provide evidence. The pack's approach is never to ask, beyond the forms the law needs before statutory pay is paid, and to make sure sickness connected to a pregnancy loss never counts towards absence triggers.
Can I edit the documents after download?
Yes. All 19 Word documents and both spreadsheets are fully editable. Your company details and pay arrangements are pre-filled by the wizard. You add the person's details and dates before you send each letter.
A situation that needs care?
If a restructure overlaps with someone on family leave, a return to work is getting difficult, or a bereavement has turned into a longer absence, get in touch. Some situations are worth a conversation before you act.