Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 receives Royal Assent

The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill has received Royal Assent, becoming the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018.

The Act will give all employed parents a statutory right to two weeks' leave if they lose a child under the age of 18, or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Additionally, employed parents will also be able to claim statutory parental bereavement leave pay for this period, if they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.  The eligibility criteria is similar to that required for the receipt of statutory paternity pay.

The Act was introduced as a private member's bill but was supported by the government and met a Conservative party manifesto commitment. The new rights are expected to come into force in 2020, once regulations have been made setting out the detail of how parental bereavement leave will be taken. 

For more information please contact Nicola Gray or Martin Sinclair, or call 01224 632464.