South Tyneside Council to implement new enhanced policy for grieving parents

Currently, there is no legal obligation for employers to provide paid time off for grieving parents.

From April, the government Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act will come into force providing statutory paid leave for employees.

The Government says the it is the first law of its kind in the UK, and will support those affected by the “tragedy of childhood mortality”.

It also extends similar rights to primary carers – including adopters, foster parents and guardians – and parents who suffer a stillbirth after 24 weeks of maternity leave.

To qualify for two weeks paid leave, parents or carers must have been employed for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks before the child’s death.

Other rules in the act for paid leave include the child being under 18 years old.

The scheme was discussed by councillors at a meeting of South Tyneside Council’s Human Resources Committee on Wednesday, February 12.

However, council bosses have agreed to go beyond the act by offering parental bereavement leave to all employees, regardless of their length of service.

Paid leave will also be offered to all parents who lose a child at the ‘normal rate of pay’, rather than the statutory rate for maternity/ paternity leave.

A report prepared for councillors states several council HR policies already offer more than the statutory minimum, such as enhanced maternity and sickness absence leave/pay.

On bereavement leave, the report goes on to say: “As a good employer, the council wants to be more supportive to our employees at such a devastating time of their lives.”

Following discussion, the Human Resources Committee approved the new policy.

Coun Joanne Bell added: “The council has always been known for going above and beyond its statutory duties.

“I’m pleased to see they’re going beyond what the act says including all children and not just under 18s and enhancing that. I think it’s testament to what the council has done and a brilliant way forward in what are very very difficult circumstances.”