The government have announced an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill which will expand rights to bereavement leave to those who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks’ gestation.
As part of Labour’s changes to workers’ rights via amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, mothers and their partners will be given the legal right to at least one week’s bereavement leave if they suffer a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation.
The exact length of time off that will be granted to those who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks will be specified in more detail through later legislation after a consultation.
Up until now, statutory Parental Bereavement Leave has only been available to parents who lose a child under 18 or experience stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. These compassionate changes acknowledge that the grief following pregnancy loss can be just as profound regardless of when it happens. The definition of a parent is likely to be wide and therefore employers will need to be aware of that when drafting policies. Guidance will no doubt be published in due course to give a greater understanding of who is entitled to claim and the relevant process.
Ministers have announced that they will review the entire system of parental leave, declaring that it is “not working” for families. They plan to investigate support for new parents, including maternity leave, paternity leave and shared arrangements.
James Pitts comments:
A number of employers already offer extended leave as an extra benefit to employees in these circumstances, however under the new legislation this will become a universal right to parents. Employers will need to look out for future guidance to be published and ensure that appropriate policies are drafted and implemented to cover the right.
If you have any questions on any of the upcoming changes, please contact a member of the team here.
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