The right to bereavement leave for parents who have miscarried before 24 weeks gestation could soon become a reality. This modification is inspired by a piece of legislation proposed in the UK. Right now, we only have bereavement leave for parents who lose their children after 24 weeks gestation. We are hopeful that this legislative recommendation will pave the way to acknowledging the emotional impact of early pregnancy loss. It meets the needs of millions of families who have felt ignored for so long during this unprecedented time.
Currently, the government estimates that approximately 250,000 pregnancies are lost by miscarriage each year in the UK. Under the proposed amendments, parents would be entitled to at least a week of unpaid leave after experiencing a miscarriage and/or loss of a fetus before 24 weeks. This new policy change allows parents the important time and space to grieve. This enables them to decompress, process their emotions and put their mental health first.
This means that parents who suffer pregnancy loss after 24 weeks gestation are entitled to only two weeks of statutory parental bereavement pay. To be eligible they must have worked at least 26 weeks. This wage ends up being £187.18 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Labour MP Sarah Owen, a prominent advocate for this change, expressed her support by stating that it represents a “huge step forward to recognising that loss as a bereavement.” Owen herself knows the deep sadness of miscarriage and knows from personal experience that these provisions are necessary.
Beyond Owen’s advocacy, though, plenty of other heavyweights have sung the praises of this potential move. According to Angela Rayner, a Labour MP, the amendment will provide “people time away from work to grieve.”
Owen, along with Vicki Robinson, who has campaigned vigorously with Owen for better bereavement rights. She underscored the stress that parents face in going back to work as they continue to grieve their child. She noted that “it’s really anxiety-inducing going back to work when you’re still grieving your loss.”
Robinson pointed out the lack of support for partners, stating, “for partners at the moment there is absolutely nothing.” This mama’s sentiment highlights the desperate need for systemic support for every single person who experiences pregnancy loss.
The intended legislation would cover England, Scotland and Wales but not Northern Ireland. The Employment Rights Bill aims to fortify legal protections for employees who need time off to grieve the loss of a loved one.
Myleene Klass, recognized with an MBE for her services to miscarriage awareness, is a fierce and unapologetic campaigner who demands acknowledgment and care. She has become an advocate for those who have suffered equally tragic losses. She remarked, “It’s a taboo – nobody wants to talk about dead babies – but you have to actually say it as it is. To lose a child is harrowing; it’s traumatic.”
Klass’s insights reflect a growing acknowledgment within society that miscarriages must be treated with the same gravity as other forms of bereavement. She further stated, “you’re not ill, you’ve lost a child; there’s a death in the family.”
The proposed changes aim not only to provide leave but to shift the narrative surrounding miscarriage from silence and stigma to openness and acknowledgment.
“Nobody says ‘get well soon’ once you’ve had a miscarriage; they say ‘I’m really sorry for your loss.’ It’s fantastic to see the law catch up with this.” – Labour MP Sarah Owen
This latest move is being lauded as a positive step in the long-term goal of bringing validation to the emotional battles that come with pregnancy loss. It helps them to foster a workplace culture in which employees are comfortable taking the time they need. There’s no worry about being judged or shamed in this space.
