Bereaved parents get new right to time off

PARENTS of stillborn children will be legally entitled to paid bereavement leave from work under a new law to be passed today.

Employers will have to give two weeks’ paid leave to anyone who loses a baby from 24 weeks of pregnancy onwards, and anyone who loses a child under 18.

It follows a campaign by Lucy Herd, whose 23-monthold son Jack died in a garden pond in 2010, only for her husband to be told he could only have three days off work, including one to attend the funeral. There is currently no statutory entitlement for paid leave for parents who lose a child.

Ms Herd, from Wokingham, Berks, said it was a “wonderful feeling” to know that bereaved parents would not have to suffer like she and her husband did.

She had campaigned for a month’s leave, but said she was “grateful” for the change in the law.

The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act, which will receive Royal Assent today, is expected to come into force in 2020.

The law was introduced to Parliament as a private member’s Bill by Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, who said: “Losing a child is the most dreadful and unimaginable experience that any parent could suffer and it is right that grieving parents will now be given time to start to come to terms with their loss.”

Kelly Tolhurst, the business minister, paid tribute to the “bravery” of campaigners such as Ms Herd in helping to bring about the “important milestone”.