Northern Ireland Leads UK with Paid Miscarriage Leave for Parents
In a significant development for parental support, Northern Ireland has implemented a new policy granting women and their partners two weeks of paid leave following a miscarriage. This makes it the first region in the UK to offer such a provision, regardless of the gestational stage of the pregnancy.
Crucial Time for Grieving
The new entitlement allows for two weeks of paid leave at the statutory rate, or 90% of weekly pay if lower. This leave can be taken as a continuous period or split into two separate weeks within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Crucially, parents are not required to provide medical evidence, only to inform their employer.
For many, like Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, this change offers vital validation and time to process their loss. She recounted the immense pressure to return to work after her own miscarriages, highlighting how this dedicated leave could significantly reduce trauma for others.
Addressing a UK Discrepancy
Previously, parents in Northern Ireland were only entitled to paid bereavement leave after a stillbirth occurring at 24 weeks or more, a provision that remains the law across the rest of the UK. While the Westminster government plans to introduce a right to unpaid leave for miscarriages at any stage in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027, Northern Ireland's move for paid leave is a notable advancement.
Psychotherapist Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, emphasised the therapeutic benefits of the new leave. Having experienced baby loss herself, she observed how the trauma of miscarriage often strains relationships, making shared grieving time essential for couples.
The economic impact of this provision is estimated at £3.5 million annually for the devolved government, affecting approximately 9,000 employees in Northern Ireland each year. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald stated, “Miscarriage is a very personal and profound loss. It’s important that women and their families are supported through such a difficult period, and that they get support in their workplace.”
This pioneering policy sets a new standard for workplace support, offering parents the much-needed space and time to navigate the emotional complexities of miscarriage.
