Employees’ bereavement leave must be enshrined in law, says Arran MP
Arran’s MP, Patricia Gibson, recently led a debate in Westminster where she called for two weeks’ statutory paid bereavement leave for all employees who lose a close family member or partner.
Having worked cross-party to secure paid bereavement leave for parents following the loss of a child, Mrs Gibson has now urged the UK Government to extend such rights for immediate family members.
Typically, employers offer three to five days’ compassionate leave but its discretionary nature means some employees are unable to take leave without fearing it could undermine their job security.
Around a quarter of all employees experienced a bereavement in the last year.
Mrs Gibson said: ‘Bereavement is a fact of life and yet a third of employees who experience it don’t receive any leave and only a third know if their workplace has a bereavement policy.
‘People in low-paid jobs are far less likely to receive any paid compassionate leave.
‘They are also at greater risk of losing their job for taking time off, and to struggle with the immediate financial impact of bereavement.
‘This increases the pressure and financial stress on employees trying their best to cope with the loss of a close family member.
‘While many employers are supportive and understanding, others are not.
‘Such a profoundly life-changing experience, potentially with long-term mental and physical health consequences, cannot be left to the goodwill of employers.
‘Death is the great leveller, so the time and space to grieve without worrying about loss of pay, or pressure to return to work too soon, should be available to all.’