Enhanced parental bereavement policy for council employees

Published: 12 September 2019

Council staff who suffer the heartache of losing a child under the age of 18 or their baby dies in the womb after 24 weeks of pregnancy will now be entitled to two weeks paid leave at full pay and at a time of their choice.

There is currently no statutory regulations that covers bereavement leave but new regulations will come into force in 2020 to help parents cope with the emotional implications of suffering such a devastating loss.

Councillors have agreed at the City Administration Committee - to enhance the parental bereavement policy for council staff ahead of the new regulations next year as part of the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018.

The new policy will come into immediate effect and offers a level financial comfort at a time when people need to concentrate on coping with their grief.

Councillor Michelle Ferns, City Convener for Workforce, Glasgow City Council presented the report to committee and is pleased that this is another example of how the council can support the health and mental wellbeing of employees.

She said: "It's very important that we do everything that we can to support the health and mental wellbeing of our staff and I'm pleased that our recommendations got cross party support for a very important change to policy.

"Our staff are our most valued asset and it's imperative that we do everything that we can to support them through what can only be described as an unimaginable situation of losing a child.

"The new policy will offer flexibility on when the bereavement leave can be taken and offer a level of financial comfort for staff at such a devastating time as we have enhanced the legislation by offering full pay during this period of time and the leave can be taken at a time that suits the parent."

The committee report can be accessed online.