Employed parents who have lost a child will get statutory paid leave to grieve under a proposed new law.
There is currently no legal requirement for employers to provide paid leave for grieving parents. However, the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill seeks to change this.
Kevin Hollinrake MP, who is sponsoring the Bill, said: “There is little any of us can do to help, but at least we can make sure that every employer will give them [parents] time to grieve.”
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will be working with employers, employee representatives and campaigners to understand better the needs of bereaved parents and employers.
A second reading of the Bill is expected in the autumn. It is likely that this will include more detail about the length of leave and the amount of statutory pay.
Business Minister, Margot James, added: “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.”
