‘Two weeks will make such a difference’: UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave
UK’s First to Introduce Paid Leave for Miscarriage: A New Support System
For Erin Sharkey, miscarriages once meant emotional turmoil and uncertainty, especially when figuring out how much time to take off work to cope with the loss. Now, however, the situation has changed in Northern Ireland, where the region has become the first part of the UK to grant parents two weeks of paid leave following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. This policy aims to offer both emotional and practical support during a deeply personal time.
A Break for Grief and Recovery
The new entitlement provides paid time off at the statutory rate of £194 per week or 90% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower. This leave can be taken as a single block or split into two periods within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Importantly, parents are not required to submit medical evidence; they simply need to inform their employer of the event.
Erin, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, emphasized that the policy “gives people the validation for their feelings and time to process the loss together.” She described the previous societal expectation to return to work quickly as overwhelming, noting that her partner had never taken a single day off after their miscarriages.
Erin’s experience reflects a common struggle. “The first few days were filled with messages from friends and family expressing their concern,” she said. “But after that, it felt like everyone expected me to move on. Having two weeks of leave would have allowed us to grieve as a couple, which she believes could significantly ease the trauma.
Stories of Loss and Resilience
Psychotherapist Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, highlighted the importance of this change. “Allowing couples to spend time together after a loss is deeply therapeutic,” she said. Her own journey with baby loss began in 2021 when she lost her third child during a routine checkup. The sudden news of no heartbeat led to a quick burial, leaving her with little time to mourn before returning to work.
Megan Crowe, a therapist at the same charity, shared how the leave could reshape recovery. “It gives people control over their grieving process,” she explained. “Without this support, individuals often fall back into their pre-loss routines, missing the chance to fully engage with their emotions.”
A Community of Support
The White Butterfly Foundation, based in Portglenone, County Antrim, offers counseling and a memorial space adorned with ceramic tiles each honoring a lost child. Rebecca Hutchinson’s son Freddie is among those remembered. She described the chaos of losing her baby at 12 weeks, when a week of early labor led to a post-mortem at Alder Hey Hospital. “The shock hit me later,” she said, “but having two weeks to recover would have made all the difference.”
While the rest of the UK still grants only two weeks of paid bereavement leave after a stillbirth at 24 weeks or more, the Westminster government plans to extend similar unpaid leave to England, Scotland, and Wales in 2027. This new framework in Northern Ireland sets a precedent, offering couples a structured way to navigate grief and rebuild their lives.
