‘Two weeks will make such a difference’: UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave
UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Miscarriage Leave
Northern Ireland has taken a pioneering step in the UK by granting couples two weeks of paid time off following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. This policy, which is now in effect, aims to provide emotional support and space for processing grief, as shared by Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association. For her, the new provision offers “validation for their feelings” and the chance to grieve together with her partner, something she previously felt pressured to rush.
The statutory rate for the leave is just over £194 per week, or 90% of the parent’s weekly earnings, whichever is lower. The time off can be taken as a single block or split into two separate periods, provided it is used within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Employers only require a brief explanation, without needing medical documentation.
Shift in Support from Bereavement to Miscarriage
Previously, Northern Ireland allowed two weeks of paid bereavement leave only after stillbirths occurring at 24 weeks or later, contingent on the parent’s tenure of at least 26 weeks. This has now been expanded to include all miscarriages, making the region the first in the UK to offer such comprehensive support.
While the Westminster government plans to introduce unpaid leave for one week in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027, Northern Ireland’s move sets a precedent. The new entitlement is described as a “life-changing” measure by Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, which supports families through baby loss.
“Allowing couples time to spend grieving together after a loss is in itself extremely therapeutic. Couples need to hold each other in those early stages of grief.”
Personal Stories Behind the Policy
Megan Crowe, a therapist at the foundation, recounted how the two-week leave would help individuals reclaim their narrative after a miscarriage. She shared her own experience of losing a baby at 12 weeks, emphasizing that the lack of formal provisions often left people feeling forced to return to their routines prematurely.
Rebecca Hutchinson, who lost her son Freddie at 20 weeks, described the shock of her loss as “chaotic” due to the rapid sequence of events. She had just completed a scan showing all was well when she went into early labor a week later. The baby was delivered at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and buried within a week, leaving her time to process the grief.
“The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks’ leave, from day one, is amazing – it’ll make such a difference.”
The foundation’s counseling room in Portglenone, County Antrim, features handcrafted ceramic tiles honoring lost babies. For many, this policy represents a critical shift in how society acknowledges the emotional toll of miscarriage.
