Bereavement leave and miscarriages

A report by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) calls for new employment laws to include bereavement leave for those who miscarry during pregnancy.

Currently, bereavement leave is only granted for pregnancy losses that occur after 24 weeks. However, the report highlights that:

‘The physical and emotional impacts of pregnancy loss … can be severe and comparable to other forms of bereavement, with partners of women who experience a loss also likely to experience it as a bereavement, while being a vital source of support as their partners recover.’

The report concluded that the current practice of relying on sick leave for miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, is ‘inappropriate and inadequate’. It argues that this approach fails to provide women with the necessary confidentiality and dignity, while also exposing them to a heightened risk of employment discrimination. In addition, the financial burden of relying on statutory sick pay often leaves many women and their partners unable to afford the time off they need to grieve and recover.

To address these issues, the WEC recommends that the government collaborates with organisations such as the CIPD, Acas, and the TUC to promote the benefits of flexible workplace policies for pregnancy losses before 24 weeks. Additionally, the report proposes amendments to the Employment Rights Bill to extend statutory parental bereavement leave and pay – currently available to parents who lose children or experience stillbirths – to employees who experience pre-24-week pregnancy losses.

Further information can be found here.

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