Jack’s Law was introduced in April 2020, allowing paid time-off for parents following the devastating loss of a child.
Senior solicitor, Rafia Ahmad, explains further:
Although most employers would be sympathetic to the needs of an employee when a death in the family occurs, particularly that of a child, historically, there was no statutory right to bereavement leave.
The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Regulations, known as Jack’s Law in memory of Jack Herd whose mother Lucy campaigned tirelessly on the issue, came into effect in April 2020. These regulations implemented a statutory right to a minimum of 2 weeks’ leave for all employed parents who lose a child under the age of 18, or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy, irrespective of how long they have worked for their employer.
Parents can take the leave as a single block of two weeks, or as two separate blocks of one week each to be taken at different times across the first year after their child’s death.
The leave is paid at the lower of £151.20 per week or 90% of salary. Unfortunately, the notice provisions are onerous but can be found in detail here.
The Regulations are welcome news for employees when they will be under the most difficult of circumstances.
