New employment rights for shared parental leave and parental bereavement leave

The new rights are the final provisions of the Employment (Amendment) Act 2024 to be introduced, providing crucial support for parents during challenging times and ensuring the continued commitment to supporting family-friendly policies.

Parental Bereavement Leave

Under the new rights, parents will be entitled to take an additional two weeks’ leave following the death of a child under the age of 18, including cases of stillbirth.

Leave will be able to be taken as a single two-week block or two separate one-week blocks within the first year after the child’s death.

Expectant parents who suffer a miscarriage will be entitled to one week of leave.

Shared Parental Leave

Shared parental leave will enable parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave to care for a new baby in the first 12 months of their baby’s life. Both maternity and paternity leave will still be available as options for new parents.

A similar right to shared parental leave will be implemented for adoptive parents at the same time.

Both shared parental leave and parental bereavement leave will be accompanied by the introduction of new allowances – namely parental bereavement allowance and shared parental allowance. For employees who are eligible, parental bereavement allowance will be paid for up to two weeks in the case of the death of a child or stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, or one week in the case of miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Other eligibility criteria will apply.

Tim Johnston MHK (pictured), Minister for Enterprise commented: “The introduction of these new rights for parental bereavement and shared parental leave is a significant step forward in supporting families during some of the most important and difficult times that they may face. Shared parental leave will provide a more flexible approach than that currently offered to new families, while the parental bereavement leave offers further support in a challenging time.

“By bringing forward these much-needed rights, we also are demonstrating our commitment to continue creating a family-friendly environment and ensuring that the Island remains an attractive place to live and work aligned to the ambitions of the Island Plan.”

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Treasury Minister added: “We recognise the importance of providing financial support to parents who need to take time off work to care for their new child in a flexible way that suits them. The new allowances accompanying these new rights will ensure that eligible parents are financially supported during these critical periods. We look forward to bringing forward the necessary legislation to make these rights a reality for our working families.”