Push for two weeks' paid leave for bereaved parents

Wednesday 30 June 2021

Politicians are being asked to support a move to introduce two weeks’ paid leave for parents who lose a child under the age of 18.

There is currently no statutory right to time off work specifically for parental bereavement in the island. Often this is up to employer discretion, with three days’ “compassionate leave” a common feature in contracts.

St. Helier representative Deputy Steve Ahier wants to change that, and is calling for Jersey to follow ‘Jack’s Law’ in the UK. 

The UK legislation followed a campaign by Lucy Herd, whose son, Jack, tragically died one month before his second birthday in 2010. His father was only legally entitled to three days off work, one of which being Jack’s funeral.

Pictured: Deputy Steve Ahier's proposition is due to be debated next month.

Deputy Ahier’s plan has the support of baby loss charity Philip’s Footprints. 

Its head, Jo Nash, said she was aware of once instance where a father was asked to return to work just five days after the death of his child.

“Philip's Footprints would welcome a 2 week bereavement leave for parents of children up to the age of 18. Whilst many larger Jersey employers are in a position to grant 2 weeks compassionate leave, not all employers can and not all empathise,” she said.

Former Citizens Advice CEO Malcolm Ferey echoed this support, saying: “The current provision for giving people sufficient time off work in these circumstances is, in my opinion, inadequate and the practice of discretionary extensions to compassionate leave can be viewed as inequitable. Any increase in the current provision for compassionate leave has to be welcomed.”

Deputy Ahier suggested that a provision in Jersey should mirror Jack’s Law, which allows parents to take time off either as a single block or two blocks of one week each within 56 weeks of the bereavement.

They would be entitled to full pay regardless of whether they were a biological, adoptive or foster parent, and it would not matter how long they have worked for their employer.

Deputy Ahier also wants the Government to cover the cost of the paid leave from the Social Security Fund, meaning that smaller employers won’t lose out as a result of the unplanned absence.

“As they will not be paying the affected employee during the period of bereavement leave, they would have sufficient funds to ensure temporary cover if needed.”

Deputy Ahier said evidence indicated that no more than 40 people per year would claim an entitlement.

States Members are set to debate the proposal on 20 July.