Government introduces new Parental Bereavement Bill

26 Jul 2017

The government has introduced a new Parental Bereavement Bill in order to supply bereaved parents in employment with statutory paid leave.

Currently, no legal requirement exists to provide employees with statutory paid leave following the loss of a child.  

Under the Employment Rights Act, workers have the right to opt to take a ‘reasonable’ amount of unpaid time off work.

The government revealed that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will be working with employees, employers and campaigners to better understand the requirements of bereaved parents.

The Bill is expected to have its second reading in the autumn, the government said.

Business Minister, Margot James, commented: ‘The loss of a child is a traumatic experience for any parent. For parents holding down a job at the same time as dealing with their grief, it can be doubly stressful.

‘We want parents to get the support they need at this deeply upsetting time, that is why government is supporting this Private Members’ Bill which will introduce statutory paid bereavement leave for employed parents.’