Addressing delegates at the annual conference in Blackpool’s Winter gardens, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary said: “Bereavement is an issue likely to affect everyone at some point in their lives. In a recent survey of over 4,500 of our members, nearly half said that they had taken time off due to the bereavement of a close relative. We know that it can be even more difficult when people need to travel abroad, or organise a funeral remotely, on a timescale that might not be reflected in their company’s policy.
Improving terms and conditions for members around bereavement, has been priority for Usdaw for some time. Because of the efforts of our negotiating teams, the vast majority of members working for companies with agreements with Usdaw have paid time off for bereavement. Employers who engage with unions, and in doing so listen to their workers, recognise how important this is and they make provision to support their staff when they are going through an incredibly difficult time.
“The Labour Government in their first year of power are already looking at improvements to bereavement leave, as part of a wider effort to improve the rights of workers through the Employment Rights Bill. This is something we have campaigned for. We have shared the experiences of our members. Labour listened, Labour cared, and Labour has acted. The Bill will introduce a day one right to protected time off for employees to grieve the loss of a loved one. Meaning that people have the right to a minimum of one week's bereavement leave. They will have 56 days after the death to use the leave, giving flexibility to support people who need to travel abroad for funerals, or to observe the practices of their culture or religion.
“We believe that the Government can and should go further, by making this a right to paid leave. To give everyone the time, space and support that they need, to begin to grieve and process their loss. We will be raising this with the Government, and with employers, at every opportunity.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion