If enacted this law would make paternity leave a day 1 right for all fathers and partners facing the bereavement of their spouse or partner.
The Facts
This Private Members Bill amends Employment Rights Act 1996 to make paternity leave a day 1 right for all fathers and partners facing the bereavement of their spouse or partner. In particular it:
- removes the continuity of service requirement for the surviving partner to take paternity leave;
- disapplies the requirement that leave must be taken to care for the child where the child has died or adoption is disrupted post placement;
- permits paternity leave to be taken after shared parental leave; and
- provides KIT days for the surviving partner.
What this means for employers
The Explanatory notes to this Bill have been written by the Department for Business and Trade, so once again the Government are backing a private member's bill as a way of ensuring Parliamentary time is found to make new family friendly legislation. The Bill was first introduced on 6 December 2023 so has progressed quickly through its Parliamentary stages. Should it gain Royal Assent before a general election is called employers will need to update their policies to cater for this new right.
