top of page
Working at home

"Time to Grieve": MPs Demand Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage Before 24 Weeks


More than one in five pregnancies end before 24 weeks, yet UK law only grants paid bereavement leave to parents who lose a child after 24 weeks. A new report by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) is calling for legal changes to provide paid bereavement leave for women and their partners who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. For many women and their partners, miscarriage can have profound physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Yet without legal protection, they are often forced to return to work prematurely, masking their grief.


The proposed amendments to the Employment Rights Bill aim to ensure that the emotional and physical toll of miscarriage and other forms of early pregnancy loss are properly recognised and supported in the workplace.


The report highlights the urgent need for change, describing the case for statutory bereavement leave as "overwhelming." Currently, only parents who lose a baby after 24 weeks are entitled to two weeks of paid bereavement leave. This discrepancy fails to acknowledge that pregnancy loss before 24 weeks can have equally profound emotional and physical impacts.


The Scale of the Issue

Miscarriage is a deeply personal and often devastating experience. The WEC report cites data showing that more than one in five pregnancies end before 24 weeks, and approximately one in five women will experience a miscarriage in their lifetime. The emotional and physical toll of pregnancy loss is comparable to other forms of bereavement, with partners also experiencing significant grief while often acting as vital sources of support during recovery.


However, under current laws, many affected individuals are left without adequate workplace protections. The report argues that relying on sick leave for pregnancy loss is "inappropriate and inadequate," as it lacks the confidentiality and dignity required in such situations. Furthermore, the low rate of Statutory Sick Pay leaves many unable to afford the time off they need to grieve and recover, jeopardising their wellbeing and employment stability.


Employer-Led Initiatives and Gaps

While some employers, including NHS trusts and private organisations, have introduced progressive policies for pregnancy loss, these measures are far from universal. The report applauds these efforts but highlights substantial gaps in provision, with many employees unaware of the support available to them.


MPs are urging the government to collaborate with organisations such as the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Acas to promote the benefits of flexible and generous pregnancy loss leave policies. They also recommend strengthening guidance to ensure employees and managers are aware of their rights and available support.


Proposed Changes to the Law

The WEC is proposing amendments to the Employment Rights Bill to extend the entitlements currently available for parental bereavement leave and pay to those who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. This would cover:

  • Miscarriages

  • Ectopic pregnancies

  • Molar pregnancies

  • Loss of embryos during IVF

  • Terminations for medical reasons


These changes would set a legal minimum standard, ensuring all individuals have access to paid leave during what can be one of the most challenging periods of their lives.


A Personal Perspective

WEC Chair and Labour MP Sarah Owen has shared her own experience of miscarrying at work during her first pregnancy."I was not prepared for the shock of miscarrying at work. Like many women, I legally had to take sick leave. But I was grief-stricken, not sick, harbouring a deep sense of loss," Owen said.


She emphasised that while some employers are leading the way with compassionate policies, the lack of universal provision leaves too many without the support they need.


A Call for Action

The report concludes that the emotional and physical impacts of miscarriage demand a compassionate response, supported by law. "The case for a minimum standard in law is overwhelming," said Owen. "It’s time to include bereavement leave for workers who miscarry in new employment rights laws."


The WEC is urging the government to adopt its proposed amendments or introduce its own to ensure no one experiencing the pain of pregnancy loss is left unsupported.

For more information and resources on pregnancy loss, visit the Miscarriage Association.

2 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page