Parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to bereavement leave under new legislation.
Currently, 2 weeks’ bereavement leave is only available to parents if a child dies before the age of 18, or if they experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Those who suffer a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy, are limited to taking sick leave.
The government is set to amend the Employment Rights Bill to give parents the legal right to take time off work to grieve in the event of pregnancy loss, regardless of the stage at which it happens.
The extended right to leave will be for “at least” one week, though the exact length of the leave is still to be confirmed after further consultation.
This is a huge step forward in recognising miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy as a bereavement and the devastating impact this has on parents.