Two weeks unpaid leave for bereaved parents

Saturday 16 March 2024

Parents and step-parents who suffer the death of a child, including stillbirths, are now entitled to two weeks of unpaid leave.

The leave is available to any worker regardless of their length of employment, and can be taken at any time during the first 56 weeks after the child’s death.

The changes to the Jersey’s Employment Law will apply to working parents and step-parents who suffer the death of a child under 18, including stillbirths.

The Government has also set up a payment scheme which will provide financial support to parents for any potential lost wages. 

There will be no requirement for parents to be directly involved with the process for receiving payments.

Self-employed workers will also be eligible for payments from the new scheme.

Pictured: The changes to Jersey's Employment Law have been introduced by Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham.

The changes have been introduced by Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham, following proposals from Deputy Steve Ahier which were approved by the States Assembly.

Deputy Feltham said: "For any parent, the death of a child is a tragedy, and no amount of time off work or financial assistance will make up for it. 

"This legislation and payment scheme is an important first step in supporting affected parents.

"I’d like to thank both previous Ministers for Social Security for their work on the project and also Deputy Ahier for his hard work in bringing this proposition forward to the Assembly.”