Bereavement leave for a child: new terms unveiled

A decree published Friday, October 9, provides details as to the conditions under which private sector employees, self-employed workers and farmers will be able to split their bereavement leave.

Bereavement leave is becoming clearer. On Friday, October 9, the Official Journal published a decree detailing the conditions for dividing this leave, granted in the event of the death of a child under 25. Since July 1, parents affected by such a tragedy have seen their rights improve. They can now benefit from seven working days off, compared to five previously.

Another eight-day leave is added. This can be taken in addition to the initial seven days of leave. The parents concerned will have to ask it within one year of the death of the child.

In total, these are therefore 15 days off that can be taken. The beneficiaries are private sector employees, civil servants, the self-employed, as well as farmers and job seekers.

Split leave

The division of these new rights had not yet been precisely defined. Certain points have just been clarified by the decree.

For employees in the private sector, the self-employed and farmers, this text modifies the labor code.

For private sector employees:

They can take this bereavement leave in two installments, each period having to last at least one day. For example, an employee who has lost a child will be able to take a day of bereavement leave directly after the first seven-day leave.

The remaining seven days can be applied later within one year of the death of the child.

For the self-employed and farmers:

Their status sometimes prevents them from taking a break from their activity. Also, the decree gives them the right to take this bereavement leave in three times, each period again having to last at least one day, always within one year of the death of the child.

For civil servants:

This decree does not mention the split arrangements planned for civil servants, so they should be the subject of a separate text.

These new terms apply to bereavement leave taken as of this Saturday, for deaths that have occurred since July 1.

Testimony of the parents of Ruben, who died at 53 days