By Eric King-
Parents and carers will be eligible for new workplace right to paid leave when they suffer a loss of a child, according to a new law.
Employees will not have to give notice for leave immediately after a loss or need to supply a copy of a death certificate to use as evidence.
In the first law of its kind in the UK to support employees and give them time to grieve , a variety of family circumstances will be catered for by the British government. The government has confirmed that those who are eligible under the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Act will be widened beyond parents to all primary carers for children, including adopters, foster parents and guardians.
It will also cover more informal groups such as kinship carers, who may be a close relative or family friend and have assumed responsibility for the care of the child in the absence of the parents.
The Parental Bereavement Act, which is expected to come into force in 2020, ensures bereaved employees who lose a child under 18 will receive 2 weeks’ leave as a day-one right. Eligible employees will also receive 2 weeks statutory pay.
Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst, said:
Dealing with the loss of a child is an awful tragedy which we recogniZe people will deal with differently.
It is important this new law is designed so that people are given the space and respect to grieve in their own way.
Following feedback from parents and employers, the government today (2 November 2018) published its response to the public consultation and announced further details about how the new right will work:
leave can be taken either in 1 block (of 1 or 2 weeks) or as 2 separate blocks of 1 week
leave and pay can be taken within a 56 week window from the child’s death so as to allow time for important moments such as anniversaries
notice requirements will be flexible so that leave can be taken without prior notice very soon after the child’s death. Employers will not be entitled to request a copy of death certificate to use as evidence
Francine Bates, Chief Executive of The Lullaby Trust said:
We are very pleased that the government has listened to bereaved families and responded to their concerns in paving the way for the implementation of the new Act.
Losing a baby or child is a devastating experience for all the family and extending the provisions of the act to adopters, foster carers, guardians and kinship carers is very important. Offering time and flexibility to bereaved families at a time that best suits them is also crucial in supporting them through their journey.
Chief Executive of Cruse Bereavement Care, Steven Wibberley, said:
We are pleased that the Parental Bereavement Act has been widened to ensure that everyone who looks after a child is supported when they die.
The death of a child is incredibly traumatic and it is vital the child’s family, whether it be their parents, foster parents or close family relatives who are looking after the child are given time to grieve and time to deal with some of the practical issues.