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

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

After years of uncertainty, Northern Ireland has introduced a groundbreaking policy allowing parents to take two weeks of paid leave following a miscarriage, regardless of the pregnancy stage. This makes the region the first part of the UK to offer such support, providing couples with time to grieve and process their loss together.

Validation for grief

Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, described the new entitlement as a “validation for their feelings” and a chance to “take control of their journey.” She shared how her previous miscarriages left her feeling societal pressure to return to work quickly, with her partner often not taking time off. “If she had been there with me for two weeks, that would have reduced my trauma significantly,” she reflected.

Statutory pay and flexibility

The leave is paid at the statutory rate of over £194 per week, or 90% of weekly pay if that is lower. It can be taken as one continuous block or split into two separate periods, within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Unlike before, parents no longer need medical evidence to claim it—only a simple explanation of the event is required.

Previously, Northern Ireland only offered two weeks of bereavement leave after stillbirths at 24 weeks or later, provided employees had been in their role for 26 weeks. This remains the standard across the rest of the UK. However, the Westminster government plans to extend similar provisions to England, Scotland, and Wales in 2027, offering

unpaid leave for a minimum of one week

following any miscarriage.

Stories of loss and support

Psychotherapist Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, emphasized how the leave can “save relationships” during the early stages of grief. She recounted losing her third child during a routine prenatal appointment, where she was told there was no heartbeat. “Five days later, I was able to start grieving,” she said, after rushing to deliver her son and then attending his funeral.

Megan Crowe, a therapist at the charity, shared her own experience of a miscarriage at 12 weeks. “The two weeks of leave will give such an opportunity for people to be in the present moment and help them access support early,” she added. The foundation’s counselling room in Portglenone, County Antrim, features dozens of handcrafted ceramic tiles, each a tribute to a lost baby, including Rebecca Hutchinson’s son Freddie, who was born in 2025.

Rebecca Hutchinson described her ordeal as “chaotic,” with her baby’s funeral occurring just a week after early labour. “Looking back, it just felt like everything happened so quickly,” she said, adding that she had to rely on sick leave due to “no other provision” at the time. “The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks’ leave, from day one, is amazing—it’ll make such a difference,” she concluded.

Victoria Wylie, who also experienced a miscarriage, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the emotional impact of the new policy on families navigating loss. The change marks a significant step forward in acknowledging the importance of shared grief in the wake of a miscarriage.