Parental bereavement pay and leave policy

In the devastating event that your baby is stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy or dies after birth you still qualify for maternity leave, SMP, plus two weeks bereavement leave.

We will endeavour to support you at this time as best we can and can offer:

• Paid leave to attend medical appointments/investigations
• Phased return to work
• Paid time off for counselling

If your baby is lost before the 24th week of pregnancy, sadly there is not yet any statutory entitlement to miscarriage leave. We, however, offer two weeks paid compassionate leave, and discuss with your line manager any other support you may need.

In the horrible event that you experience the loss of a child under 18 years you may be eligible for parental bereavement leave and statutory parental bereavement pay.

You are entitled to take two weeks together, two separate weeks of leave or only one week which can start on or after the date of the death or stillbirth and which must finish within 56 weeks of the date of the death or stillbirth.

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay for an eligible employee is either the equivalent of the presiding rate for other statutory leave or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Subject to continuous employment with us for a minimum of 12 months, you may be eligible for enhanced paid leave which includes being paid at your normal rate of pay for two weeks’ parental bereavement leave.