‘Time to grieve’: Jardine backs miscarriage bereavement leave

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has joined calls for new employment laws to include bereavement leave for those who miscarry during pregnancy, following the publication of a new report from the Women and Equalities Committee.

The report recommends a period of paid leave “should be available to all women and partners who experience a pre-24-week pregnancy loss”, it concluded, adding: “the case for a minimum standard in law is overwhelming”.

This change would bring the law in line with existing provision for baby loss after 24 weeks, including entitlements to statutory parental bereavement leave and pay. The report found clear evidence that the impacts of a pregnancy loss at any stage are very similarly felt. Data estimates that more than one in five pregnancies end before 24 weeks, with around one in five women experiencing a miscarriage in their reproductive lifetime.

Evidence from witnesses describes how the physical and emotional impacts of pregnancy loss are often be severe and comparable to other forms of bereavement, with partners of women who experience a loss also likely to experience strong grief.

The Committee will now be putting forward an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, to ensure employees who experience pre-24-week pregnancy losses have access to paid bereavement leave. This would include miscarriages, ectopic or molar pregnancy, in vitro fertilisation embryo transfer loss, and medical terminations. 

Ms Jardine hopes the Government will accept these amendments to end the “unfairness” facing women in these circumstances.

Christine Jardine MP said:

“I am pleased to support the Committee’s proposals that would finally end the unfairness faced by some women who miscarry or lose a pregnancy.

“Throughout our inquiry, I was struck by the powerful testimony of women struggling with their physical and mental health after a pregnancy loss, but struggling to approach their managers or colleagues to seek the support they deserved.

“Whilst we heard businesses and charities who are making welcome progress to give women vital support at an incredibly difficult time in their lives, this is not universal, and others are struggling to provide support without proper guidance.

“Every woman or partner that loses a pregnancy deserves time to grieve, and support in their workplace. It’s time for the Government to recognise that and support this vital change in the law.”