MPs Advocate for Paid Miscarriage Leave for All Parents in the UK
UK MPs are pushing for paid miscarriage leave for both women and their partners, highlighting the need for better support.
UK, Miscarriage Leave, MPs, Employment Rights, Bereavement Leave
London: MPs are saying that both women and their partners should get paid leave if they go through a miscarriage. They believe that sick leave just doesn’t cut it when it comes to supporting couples during such a tough time.
Since April 2020, there’s been some support for parents who lose a baby after 24 weeks, but nothing for those who experience a miscarriage before that. The committee thinks that a two-week leave should be available for those who lose a pregnancy early on.
It’s estimated that over one in five pregnancies end before 24 weeks, with many happening in the first 12 weeks. While some employers, like NHS Trusts and the Co-op, have started offering specific leave for pregnancy loss, there are still big gaps in what’s available.
They did mention the introduction of baby loss certificates as a step forward, but it’s not enough. The committee pointed out that there’s no official recognition of the grief that many couples feel after losing a pregnancy early, which can really affect their work life.
When gathering evidence, they found that sick pay often isn’t enough for couples to take the time they need. Plus, it doesn’t provide the privacy many women want, as they often have to explain their absence to their boss.
Sarah Owen, the committee chair, shared her own experience of miscarriage, saying she wasn’t ready for the emotional toll it took. The committee plans to suggest changes to the Employment Rights Bill to help address this issue.
They want to extend the same rights that parents get after losing a child to those who experience early pregnancy losses, including miscarriages and other medical terminations.
Owen emphasized that she was blindsided by the shock of miscarrying while at work. She had to take sick leave, but she felt more like she was grieving than actually sick. The report found that while some employers are doing well in offering paid leave, it’s not consistent across the board.
She believes there’s a strong case for a legal minimum standard for paid leave for anyone who experiences a loss before 24 weeks. It’s high time that bereavement leave for miscarriages is included in new employment laws.
The committee is urging the government to back these amendments or come up with their own to ensure that everyone dealing with the pain of pregnancy loss gets the support they need. A spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade acknowledged how hard it is to lose a child and mentioned that many employers are compassionate in these situations.
They also noted that the Employment Rights Bill aims to create a new right to bereavement leave and strengthen protections for pregnant women and new mothers returning to work.