‘Two weeks will make such a difference’: UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave
UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Paid Miscarriage Leave
For the first time in the UK, Northern Ireland has implemented a policy granting parents two weeks of paid time off following a miscarriage, regardless of the pregnancy stage. This change marks a significant shift in workplace support for those experiencing pregnancy loss, offering a structured opportunity to process grief. Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, shared how the new leave would “validate people’s emotions and provide space to collectively navigate the loss.”
A Supportive Policy
The two-week paid leave, equivalent to over £194 per week or 90% of weekly earnings (whichever is lower), can be taken as a single block or split into two separate periods within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. No medical documentation is required—only a brief explanation from the employer. Previously, in Northern Ireland, bereavement leave was limited to two weeks after a stillbirth occurring at 24 weeks or later, provided the parent had been employed for 26 weeks.
“The loss feels like everything you envisioned for a joyful future crumbles suddenly,” Erin said. “In the early days, people would message me, but the support faded. I thought I had to ‘get over it.’ My partner didn’t take time off either, as others had done the same. If she had joined me for two weeks, it would have eased my trauma greatly.”
Therapeutic Value for Relationships
Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, emphasized the importance of shared grieving time. After losing her third child in 2021, she described the emotional turmoil of receiving the news during a routine prenatal checkup. “Three days later, I gave birth to my son and left with him in a casket, holding a support group leaflet. It took five days for the grief to fully set in,” she recalled. Her charity highlights how couples often struggle to cope with the shock of miscarriage without collective time to heal.
“When couples are given time to grieve together, it’s deeply healing,” Casey added. “They need to lean on each other in those initial moments of loss.”
Personal Stories Behind the Change
Megan Crowe, a therapist at the foundation, shared her own experience after a miscarriage at 12 weeks. “The two weeks of leave will allow people to reclaim their emotional journey instead of reverting to a previous routine,” she explained. “It gives them the chance to be present and access support sooner.”
Rebecca Hutchinson, who lost her son Freddie at 20 weeks, described the chaos of the event. “The time between going into labour and Freddie’s funeral was just a week. The shock hit me later, after the whirlwind of events,” she said. She had to rely on sick leave for the second time, as no formal provision existed before. “It’s incredible that now all parents can take two weeks of leave from day one—it’ll truly transform lives.”
Future Changes Across the UK
While Northern Ireland leads with paid leave, the UK government plans to introduce unpaid leave for one week in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027. This initiative aims to support parents nationally, though the current NI policy remains the only one with paid time off for miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy.
Victoria Wylie came
