It is something that is difficult for any parent to contemplate but, should they experience the loss of a child, what provision is there for them to take time off work? Historically there has been no automatic statutory right to leave (paid or otherwise) for grieving parents. Employers could decide for themselves whether to grant compassionate leave, and many did so. However, from April this year, the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (the Act) comes into force and introduces a legal minimum level of leave.
Under the Act, bereaved parents will be entitled to two weeks' leave if they lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Employees with 26 weeks' continuous service will be entitled to these two weeks paid at the statutory rate, while those under this threshold will be entitled to unpaid leave.
Parents will be able to take the leave as either a single block of two weeks or as two separate blocks of one week, in either case within a year of their child's death.
The Act also extends this right to those with parental responsibility, such as adoptive parents and legal guardians.
Dentons is the world's first polycentric global law firm. A top 20 firm on the Acritas 2015 Global Elite Brand Index, the Firm is committed to challenging the status quo in delivering consistent and uncompromising quality and value in new and inventive ways. Driven to provide clients a competitive edge, and connected to the communities where its clients want to do business, Dentons knows that understanding local cultures is crucial to successfully completing a deal, resolving a dispute or solving a business challenge. Now the world's largest law firm, Dentons' global team builds agile, tailored solutions to meet the local, national and global needs of private and public clients of any size in more than 125 locations serving 50-plus countries. www.dentons.com.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
