Government papers: Parental bereavement leave and pay

The government has set out its response to the consultation into parental bereavement leave and pay regulations.

The Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Act, which is expected to come into force in 2020, ensures bereaved employees who lose a child under 18 will receive two weeks leave as a day-one right. Eligible employees will also receive two weeks statutory pay.

The government has taken the following decisions about the regulations:

• the policy will use a broad definition of a ‘bereaved parent’
• parental bereavement leave and pay can be taken as a single block, or as two separate weeks
• employed parents will have a window of 56 weeks to use the entitlement
• notice requirements will be flexible and will distinguish between leave taken very soon and leave taken at a later period
• evidence requirements will mirror existing requirements used for other family leave and pay rights, where it is practicable to do so.