Bereavement leave is soon to be extended and made more flexible
09/07/2021
On 17 June 2021, a bill was passed in Parliament to extend and ease bereavement leave in the event of the death of a partner or a child. The aim of this law is, in a medical sense, to allow sufficient time for a natural and normal grieving process.
Extension of bereavement leave in the case of the death of a spouse/cohabiting partner / child
- spouse of the employee;
- cohabiting partner of the employee;
- child of the employee;
- child of the spouse or cohabitant partner;
- foster child in the context of long-term foster care.
Extension of bereavement leave in the case of the death of a first degree relative
- sister or brother of the employee;
- brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the employee;
- grandparent of the employee;
- grandchild of the employee;
- great-grandparent of the employee;
- great-grandchild of the employee;
- son-in-law, daughter-in-law or cohabiting partner of the employee.
New leave
- parent of the spouse/cohabiting partner;
- parent-in-law or step-parent of the employee/spouse/cohabiting partner;
- foster parent of the employee in the context of long-term foster care at the time of death.
Finally, the employee is also entitled to bereavement leave in the case of the death of a foster child living with the employee or the employee's spouse or cohabiting partner in the context of short-term foster care at the time of decease, for 1 day, to be taken on the day of the funeral, unless otherwise agreed with the employer at the employee's request.
Action point
The situations in which employees are entitled to bereavement leave will soon be increased and the length of the leave will in some cases be extended. The time at which bereavement leave can be taken will also become more flexible. We will let you know when these changes come into effect.
Related : Claeys & Engels
