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Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill introduced into Parliament (20 July 2017)

Date: 20/07/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill introduced into Parliament

The government has introduced the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill in Parliament, which will set out “bereavement support” for employees.

Sponsored by Kevin Hollinrake MP, the Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill seeks to ensure grieving parents in employment receive paid leave to grieve away from the workplace – delivering on the government’s pledge to “enhance rights and protections in the workplace”.

Currently there is no legal requirement for employers to provide paid leave for grieving parents, but employees have a day-one right to take a reasonable amount of unpaid time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant – including making arrangements following the death of a dependant.

What is “reasonable” depends on the circumstances, but in practice the length of time off will be agreed between the employer and employee.

The government says it expects employers to be compassionate and flexible at such a difficult time, but not all employers respond in this way – which can have a devastating impact on parents, especially those who need time away to grieve.

Kevin Hollinrake said:

“This is such an important Bill for parents going through the most terrible of times.

“There is little any of us can do to help – but at least we can make sure that every employer will give them time to grieve.

“I have represented a number of constituents who have had to deal with the tragedy of losing a child – and I am honoured to be able to do something to help parents in these desperate circumstances.”


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

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