Pearman On Adoption, Fathers, Law & More
[Updated] “This PLP Bill is a slap in the face to single fathers seeking to adopt or assume legal guardianship for a child in need,” said Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs, Scott Pearman after the Employment Amendment Act 2026 was passed in the House of Assembly earlier this week.
“It is a courageous step to adopt a child. Yet rather than supporting single fathers, the PLP chooses to discriminate against them – treating single fathers like second-class citizens.
“To compound the problem, Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, refused to adopt an OBA solution to fix the problem. When the OBA invited the Minister to press pause on the PLP Bill – for necessary amendments to be made – the PLP decided to ignore us. Instead, Minister Hayward simply pressed on with his defective legislation.”
Mr Pearman said that “in the past the Government has had to backpedal when it refused to accept the opinion of the Opposition” adding, “Remember, this is the same PLP Government that passed a law to have health care workers arrested, only to be forced to return to Parliament weeks later to amend their defective legislation. Yet again, this Government refuses to listen.”
“We cannot ignore that three of its MPs abstained from voting. It sends a very loud message to the electorate.”
Update: Minister Of Economy And Labour Jason Hayward said, “The Ministry of Economy and Labour welcomes the passage of the Employment Amendment Act 2026, which extends parental leave protections to adoptive parents and legal guardians of children under the age of twenty-four months. This amendment represents an important and progressive step in Bermuda’s employment framework and reflects the evolving realities of modern families in our community.
“The purpose of the legislation is straightforward: to ensure that parents who welcome a child into their home through adoption or legal guardianship are afforded protections similar to those already provided to biological parents under the Employment Act 2000. These parents assume the same responsibilities for the care, wellbeing and development of a child and therefore should have comparable opportunities to establish early bonds and provide stability during a critical stage of childhood development.
“Concerns raised by the Opposition suggesting that the Act is discriminatory because adoptive mothers are entitled to thirteen weeks of leave while adoptive fathers receive five days, appear to misunderstand the intent and structure of the legislation. It is important to emphasise that the amendment does not create a new distinction, nor does it single out adoptive families for differential treatment. Rather, it mirrors the existing maternity and paternity leave framework that already applies to biological parents in Bermuda by extending the same statutory structure of parental leave to adoptive parents and legal guardians, ensuring legislative consistency. If the legislation were drafted differently for adoptive parents than for biological parents, it could introduce inequity within the employment framework.
“The Act reflects a principle of legislative parity: adoptive parents and legal guardians should not be placed at a disadvantage when compared with biological parents in the workplace and vice versa. By aligning entitlements, the legislation ensures that families formed through adoption or guardianship receive the same standard protections that already exist in the Employment Act 2000.
“It is also important to recognise the broader policy objective of this amendment. The first years of a child’s life are foundational for emotional, psychological, and social development. The availability of parental leave allows caregivers to provide stability and support the emotional and developmental needs of the child during this critical period, which ultimately benefits families, workplaces and the wider community.
“The Employment Amendment Act 2026 therefore represents a balanced and practical step in the right direction. It strengthens Bermuda’s labour protections, promotes family wellbeing and ensures that the legislation reflects the diverse ways in which families are formed within our community. All children deserve the opportunity to form strong bonds with their caregivers and all parents who undertake that responsibility should have reasonable workplace protections to support them.
“Constructive debate is a valued part of the legislative process and the Ministry of Economy and Labour welcomes continued dialogue on the evolution of parental leave policies in Bermuda. However, it is important to recognise that the Act, as drafted, extends existing rights fairly and consistently rather than creating discrimination.
“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that Bermuda’s labour laws continue to evolve in a way that is fair, practical, and responsive to the needs of our community. With that said, the Ministry will engage with and seek feedback from the Labour Advisory Council regarding a further, in-depth review of current leave benefits for biological and adoptive fathers/male legal guardians. This is a first step.”
No single man should be allowed to adopt a child, period. That doesn’t even make sense and raises all sorts of red flags. Please give me a break.
“No single man should be allowed to adopt a child, period.”
Why do you say that?
Why would a single man want or need to adopt a child? It is not in their nature to be nurturing or desire that outside of being with a woman and doing it the natural way. You know exactly why.
So when you Assume God Parent role of a child, If something happens to the parents, Are you not supposed to take legal responsibility for the child…..
Scott Pearman after dropping that statement, you’re officially earning the title of “weird creep of the year.” Clearly, your connection with the community is as strong as a soggy noodle. Honestly it’s no wonder you’re stuck in the opposition!