UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Two-Week Paid Leave for Miscarriage

For parents in Northern Ireland, the emotional toll of a miscarriage has now been accompanied by a new policy offering two weeks of paid time off to process the loss. This change marks a significant shift, making the region the first part of the UK to grant such leave following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, emphasized that the policy provides much-needed validation for grieving couples. “It allows people to take control of their emotional journey rather than falling back into their pre-loss routines,” she noted, highlighting how the new leave could ease the trauma of losing a child.

Previously, Northern Ireland allowed only two weeks of paid bereavement leave after a stillbirth occurring after 24 weeks of pregnancy, provided the parent had been employed for 26 weeks. This standard remains in place across the rest of the UK, but the new policy extends support to all miscarriage cases. The leave is paid at the statutory rate of over £194 per week, or 90% of weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Parents can take the leave in one block or split it into two periods within 56 weeks of the loss, without needing medical documentation.

While her employer offered support, she felt societal pressure to resume work. “My partner didn’t even take a day off, because we knew others who’d gone through similar losses and hadn’t taken time for themselves,” Erin explained. “If he had been with me for two weeks, it would have made a huge difference in how we coped.”

Psychotherapist Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, described the leave as a lifeline for couples navigating grief. She recounted her own experience of losing her third child during a routine prenatal visit, when she was told there was no heartbeat. “Three days later, I delivered my son in a tiny casket, holding a support group leaflet,” she said. “It wasn’t until five days later that I could truly begin to grieve.” Casey argued that shared time off allows partners to support each other during the early stages of loss.

Megan Crowe, a therapist at the same foundation, shared how the policy could transform individual experiences. “Having two weeks to grieve together helps people stay present and seek support sooner,” she said. Crowe lost her baby at 12 weeks in 2020 and had to rely on sick leave, as no formal provisions existed. “We were lucky because our employers gave us space, but that’s not always the case,” she added. The new leave, she said, ensures every parent has the opportunity to heal.

“I had just completed my 20-week scan, and everything seemed fine. But a week later, I went into early labour,” said Rebecca Hutchinson, whose son Freddie was lost in 2025. “The time from labour to his funeral was exactly a week. Looking back, it felt chaotic because everything happened so fast. It took time for the shock to fully hit me.” Hutchinson’s story underscores the need for structured support, which she now believes the new policy addresses.

The Westminster government plans to introduce unpaid leave for miscarriages in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027. However, Northern Ireland’s move to statutory paid leave has already made a tangible impact, as seen in the testimonials of those who have experienced loss. For many, the two weeks of time off represents more than just a break from work—it’s a chance to honor their grief and rebuild their emotional foundation together.