Parents in Jersey who suffer the death of a child are now entitled to two weeks of unpaid leave.

Social Security Minister Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, has signed an Order to bring changes to Jersey’s Employment Law into force.

It will mean working parents who have lost a child will now have the right to two weeks of unpaid leave.

The new entitlement applies to those who lose a child under the age of 18, including babies who are stillborn.

Parents can take the leave at any time during the first 56 weeks after their child's death.

Alongside this, the government has set up a payment scheme, which will provide financial support to parents for any potential lost wages.

Self-employed workers will also be eligible for payments. 

Parental bereavement rights were originally proposed by Deputy Steve Ahier and approved by the States Assembly.

Deputy Feltham, who signed the order bringing about these changes, 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.”