Today I introduced a Private Members Bill which, if successful, will give parents who have lost a child statutory paid leave to grieve. At the moment the Government expects employers to be compassionate and flexible if one of their staff loses a child, but not all employers will respond in this way. This can have a devastating impact on parents, especially those who need time away to grieve. My Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill, which has Government support will seek to ensure grieving parents in employment receive paid leave to grieve away from the workplace, in keeping with 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. I think this is a very important Bill for parents going through the most traumatic 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 start to come to terms with their loss. I have spoken with 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.
Business Minister Margot James said: “We want parents to get the support they need at this deeply upsetting time that is why Government is supporting this Private Member’s Bill which will introduce statutory paid bereavement leave for employed parents.”
Over the summer, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will be working with employers, employee representatives and campaigners on behalf of working families to understand better the needs of bereaved parents and employers. The Bill is expected to have its second reading in the autumn.