‘Two weeks will make such a difference’: UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave

UK First as NI Introduces Two Weeks of Paid Leave for Miscarriage

Erin Sharkey once faced emotional turmoil and confusion after experiencing miscarriages, unsure how to balance her grief with work responsibilities. Now, for her and others in Northern Ireland, a new policy offers clarity: two weeks of paid leave for parents following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. This makes Northern Ireland the first region in the UK to grant such support.

Shared Time for Healing

Erin, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, highlighted that the leave allows couples to “process their loss together.” She noted societal pressures to return to work quickly, even as her partner had not taken time off previously. “Having two weeks of leave would have significantly eased my trauma,” she said, reflecting on how her partner’s absence added to her stress.

“It’s like having all your dreams for happy moments come crashing down,” Erin described, recalling the shift from expecting a child to facing complete loss. “People texted me in the first few days, but that stopped. I thought I must have hit the point where others expect me to be fine.”

Statutory Support Details

The leave is paid at the statutory rate of over £194 weekly, or 90% of the employee’s regular pay, whichever is lower. It can be used as a single block or split into two separate periods within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Importantly, parents do not need to provide medical evidence, only a simple explanation to their employer.

Stillbirth Leave Remains Unchanged

Previously, Northern Ireland allowed two weeks of paid bereavement leave after a stillbirth at 24 weeks or later, provided the parent had worked for 26 weeks. This policy still applies in the rest of the UK. However, the Westminster government aims to expand leave provisions in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027, offering at least one week of unpaid time following a miscarriage.

“Allowing couples time to grieve together is therapeutic,” said Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation. She shared her own experience of losing her third child in 2021, describing how the trauma of the loss led to immediate burial and grieving only days later. “Couples need to support each other in those early stages,” she added.

Impact on Families

Megan Crowe, a therapist at the charity, emphasized that the leave “empowers people to shape their own journey.” She recounted her own miscarriage at 12 weeks, where the lack of provisions left her relying on employer understanding. “Two weeks of leave will help families take control and be present for support,” she explained.

“The time from labour to funeral was just a week, and it felt chaotic,” said Rebecca Hutchinson, who lost her son Freddie in 2025. “It took time for the shock to hit me.” She highlighted how the new policy would prevent such rushed processes, giving parents space to navigate their emotions.

Voices from the Community

Victoria Wylie, a participant in the foundation’s support network, echoed the importance of the change. “Having two weeks of leave from day one is amazing—it’ll make such a difference,” she said, underscoring the policy’s potential to ease the burden on grieving families. The White Butterfly Foundation, based near Portglenone in County Antrim, features ceramic tiles on its walls, each honoring a lost baby.