New right to paid bereavement leave
The Government is introducing new legislation giving bereaved parents two weeks' paid compassionate leave if they lose a child under 18 years old. The right applies to all employees and compassionate leave will be paid for those who have a minimum of 26 weeks’ continuous service. Pay will be at the prescribed rate or 90% of earnings if lower throughout the two weeks of bereavement leave.
Small employers will be able to recover all statutory parental bereavement pay, whilst larger employers will be able to reclaim most of the salary paid.
The Government hopes that the new right to paid leave for bereaved parents will be in force by 2020.
Posted by Louise Donaldson
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