Bereavement leave for a child (finally) extended to 12 days

The National Assembly came to its senses. Three years after the outrageous rejection of such a proposal, Finally, the duration of bereavement leave in the event of the death of a child was unanimously adopted, increased to 12 days.

“No day off can ever replace the loss of a child”

Today, bereaved parents only have five or seven days if the child was under 25. According to Frédéric Mathieu quoted by AFP e The worldthe LFI deputy for Ille-et-Vilaine, this extension is essential for “ carry out administrative procedures ” AND ” Material » around a death, even if « no day off can ever replace the loss of a child “.

In addition to the current seven days of mourning leave for a child under the age of 25, the labor code provides for parental mourning leave of eight days, possibly divisible and partially covered by social security.

The adoption of this provision appears obvious. In 2020, the then Minister of Labor objected: Muriel Pénicaud considered it unfair to the companies that would be responsible for 100% financing of this leave. This decision caused a wave of indignation.

A law to protect the families of children affected by illness or handicap, or victims of a particularly serious accident

Initially, this measure was not part of the bill on ” the protection of the families of minors affected by illness or disability, or victims of a particularly serious injury “, proposed by the Horizon political group (Édouard Philippe’s party).

However, the LFI Group took advantage of the presentation of the overall text to table this amendment. Horizon speaker Paul Christophe said ” quite embarrassed » that this amendment is invited in an alleged text « protect the parents of a living child He suggested that the assembly instead review the rejected draft in 2020, unsuccessfully, and the entire new text was adopted by the National Assembly.

Among other things, this law provides for the extension of leave to parents who have just discovered their child’s disability or pathology. This leave is currently two days and could increase to five. This text also provides for other protective measures for parents: employees can no longer be fired and can benefit from greater professional flexibility (facilitated teleworking) and the families concerned can keep their accommodation, under certain conditions, in the event of renewal of the lease. Their administrative procedures will be simplified and the CAF will also be able to advance the daily parental attendance allowance (AJPP) to avoid families finding themselves without income while the primary health insurance fund processes their file.

This law will now have to pass the Senate before it can be finally adopted.