‘Jack’s Law’: Working parents who lose child to be given two weeks’ paid bereavement leave
New measures will come into force in April
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Your support makes all the difference.Working parents who lose a child will be entitled two weeks’ statutory leave, under new measures announced by the government.
Ministers estimate the new legal right – also called “Jack’s Law” – will support 10,000 families every year in the UK and claims it is now the longest paid bereavement leave worldwide.
It is expected to come into force in April, will apply to all employed parents who lose a child under 18-years-old, or suffer a stillbirth and will be irrespective of how long an individual has been with the current employer.
It comes after grieving mother, Lucy Herd, launched a campaign on the issue after her 23-month-old son, Jack, drowned in a pond in 2010 and his father returned to work just three days after his death.
“In the immediate aftermath of a child dying, parents have to cope with their loss, the grief of their wider family, including other children, as well as a vast amount of administrative paperwork and other arrangements,” she said.
Ms Herd added: “Then I started this campaign 10 years ago after the death of my son Jack, I always hoped that a positive change would happen in his memory.
“Knowing that nearly 10 years of campaigning has helped create ‘Jack’s Law’ is the most wonderful feeling, but it is bittersweet at the same time.”
Kevin Hollinrake, a Conservative MP who proposed the new law in a private members’ bill, said: “Losing a child is every parent’s worse fear, but no-one could ever fully understand the utter devastation of such a loss.
“While most employers are compassionate and generous in these situations, some are not, so I was delighted to be able to help make leave for bereaved parents a legal right.”
Announcing the introduction of the new measures, the business secretary, Andrea Leadsom, said: “There can be few worse experiences in life than the loss of a child and I am proud that this government is delivering ‘Jack’s Law’, making us the first country in the world to do so.
“When it takes effect, Jack’s Law will be a fitting testament to the tireless efforts of Lucy Herd, alongside many charities, to give parents greater support.”
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