The Miscarriage Association are campaigning to see the Employment Rights Bill urgently amended to include pre-24-week pregnancy loss. Photo: Shutterstock.
The Miscarriage Association’s Leave for Every Loss campaign comes in response to overwhelming public support for equitable parental bereavement leave and highlights the emotional, physical, and social toll of pregnancy loss.
Under current legislation, statutory bereavement leave (two weeks for both parents) only applies after 24 weeks of pregnancy, leaving those who experience miscarriage or other pre-24-week loss, to rely on sick leave or the goodwill of their employers.
Partners currently have no legal entitlement to leave, further compounding the taboo of miscarriage in addition to the stress and isolation felt by grieving families.
Public support
A new, nationally representative poll commissioned by the Miscarriage Association and carried out by Public First, highlights overwhelming public support for bereavement leave for pre-24-week loss. It found that:
- 9 in 10 (89%) respondents agree that the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy can be felt as a bereavement.
- 8 in 10 (79%) agree that bereavement leave for miscarriage should match the rights currently given to parents who lose a child or experience stillbirth (the loss of a baby after 24 weeks of pregnancy).
Vicki Robinson, Chief Executive of the Miscarriage Association, said: "Pregnancy loss at any gestation can be truly devastating and for most who experience it, it represents the death of their baby, regardless of how early it happens. Those grieving deserve the time and support to begin to heal without the added pressure of financial or workplace insecurity. It is deeply encouraging that the overwhelming majority of those polled recognise the importance of this.
"Requiring someone to take sick leave after a miscarriage reinforces harmful feelings of failure or self-blame. While it involves physical symptoms, miscarriage is not simply an illness and it’s time for the law to reflect this.”
Campaign at Parliament
The UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), chaired by Sarah Owen MP, is currently examining the workplace impacts of miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.
As part of a one-off evidence session under the umbrella inquiry into Equality at Work, MPs heard the case for extending statutory parental bereavement leave to include these losses.
Evidence was provided by the Miscarriage Association, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, consultant gynaecologist and trauma expert Dr Jessica Farren, HR professionals from sectors such as the NHS and private industry, the CIPD and the GMB union, all supporting the need for change in bereavement rights.
Leave for Every Loss is also endorsed by prominent pregnancy, baby loss and women’s rights charities, including Tommy’s, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Sands, Antenatal Results and Choices, Aching Arms, the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), and Pregnant Then Screwed.
As it is currently presented, the Employment Rights Bill, progressing through Parliament, paves the way for bereavement leave for a greater range of losses, but does not include pre-24-week pregnancy loss. The Miscarriage Association wants to see the bill urgently amended to correct this inequality.
If you, or someone you know, has been affected by miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy, you can visit The Miscarriage Association for information and confidential support, including a live chat service and phone and email helplines.
You can also contact the Samaritans via their free, 24 hour helpline on 116 123.
If you have a medical concern, please don’t hesitate to contact your GP or out of hours services.