New workplace law for parents of stillborn babies

By Hollie Ewers on 13 September 2018 Bereavement Care Stillbirth

Parents who suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks’ gestation will be entitled to two weeks’ paid leave under a new law enshrined today (13 September).

The new Parental bereavement leave and pay act will also give two weeks’ paid leave to all employed parents who lose a child under the age of 18.

Employed parents will be entitled to claim pay for this leave as long as they meet individual employees’ eligibility criteria.

It’s the first law of its kind in the UK and is expected to come into force in 2020. 

There is currently no statutory entitlement for paid leave for parents who lose a child and campaigner Lucy Herd, who lost her 23-month-old son Jack in 2010, has been leading a drive to get this law passed. 

She said: ‘When I started the campaign eight years ago after the death of my son Jack, I always hoped that a change would happen in his memory. Knowing that eight years of campaigning has helped create legislation to ensure bereaved parents are protected in the future is such a wonderful feeling and I am so grateful to all those involved.’