The Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill 2017-19 was published on 13 October 2017. This is likely to become law. The proposed legislation would give employees who lose a child below the age of 18 (including a still birth after 24 weeks) the right to:
- At least two weeks’ leave (irrespective of their length of service).
- At least two weeks’ statutory bereavement pay. The Bill entitles employers to reclaim some, if not all, payments from the Government.
- Employees will be protected from detriment, redundancy and dismissal as a result of them taking bereavement leave.
The regulations are expected to be introduced in 2020.
