The new leave allowance for bereaved parents will be one of the most generous in the world.
For the first time, under proposed new laws published today, employed parents who lose a child under the age of 18 will have the right to two weeks’ paid leave to allow them time to grieve.
The Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill, introduced by Kevin Hollinrake MP and supported by the Government, will give a day-one right to parental bereavement leave and employees with a minimum of 26 weeks’ continuous service will be eligible for statutory parental bereavement pay.
The bill goes significantly further than most other countries in providing this kind of workplace right for employees.
Hollinrake said, “Sadly I have had constituents who have gone through this dreadful experience and while some parents prefer to carry on working, others need time off.”
“This new law will give employed parents a legal right to two weeks’ paid leave, giving them that all-important time and space away from work to grieve at such a desperately sad time.”
Margot James, Business Minister, added, “We want parents to feel properly supported by their employer when they go through the deeply distressing ordeal of losing a child.”
“That’s why Government is backing this bill which goes significantly further than most other countries in providing this kind of workplace right for employees.”
