When someone's on bereaved partner's paternity leave, it's a good idea to keep in contact with work.
It might not be someone's main priority at this time. However, an employer still has legal obligations to the employee while they're off.
They should both agree how and when they'll stay in touch.
Important: Bereaved partner's paternity leave is a new type of leave. It applies from 6 April 2026.
Keeping up to date with important changes
By law, an employer must tell someone about important changes that might affect them. For example:
- promotion or other job opportunities
- training
- redundancies
- any reorganisation
The employee and employer can also agree between them:
- what else they'd like to hear about – for example staff bulletins or social events
- how they'd like to communicate – for example by email, phone or keeping in touch days
- how often to be in contact
Keeping in touch (KIT) days
Someone on bereaved partner's paternity leave can work for up to 10 days during the leave. These are called keeping in touch (KIT) days.
Keeping in touch days can be useful to:
- keep up to date with work
- go to a work-related activity or training session
- return from leave in a gradual way
These days are paid.
It's up to the employee to agree with their employer:
- whether to use keeping in touch days
- how many days to use
- what type of work they'll do on the days
- how much they'll be paid
It still counts as a keeping in touch day even if they only work part of it, for example a half day.
Pay for keeping in touch days
Pay for keeping in touch days should be agreed in advance. The easiest option is for someone to get their usual pay for the day.
Pay must not be less than the minimum wage.
Confidentiality
An employer must keep information about the employee's situation confidential.
They should only tell others if the employee makes it clear they can share it. For example with other workers, clients or customers.
Ongoing support
An employer should offer support to someone who's taking this leave. For example, they could share links to mental health support.
For example:
- the organisation's employee assistance programme (EAP), if there is one
- access to workplace counselling, if the organisation offers this
- Cruse Bereavement Support for help dealing with grief
- Mind for mental health support
Find out more about supporting someone after a death
Contact the Acas helpline
If you have any questions about bereaved partner's paternity leave, you can contact the Acas helpline.