The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill is set for a second reading. The Bill proposes to allow parents paid leave to grieve and make arrangements following the death of a dependent.

Currently, the Employment Rights Act allows parents reasonable time off unpaid for emergencies, including bereavement. However, reasonable is a loose term that is agreed between the employer and employee.

This Bill proposes that leave would be paid at the same rate as paternity pay – £140.98 per week or 90% of the employee’s average earnings – and that leave must be taken within eight weeks of the child’s death.

The exact details have yet to be agreed and this isn’t expected to become law until 2020. However, it is something employers should be mindful of should a similar situation arise in the meantime.