Summary
Northern Ireland is the first place in the UK to offer paid leave for women and their partners after a miscarriage. They can take two weeks of paid leave at any point after a miscarriage, which aims to help them deal with the emotional trauma.
Key Facts
- Northern Ireland offers two weeks of paid leave for those who experience a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy.
- The leave also applies to the partner and is paid at just over £194 per week or 90% of their weekly pay, whichever is lower.
- Leave can be taken all at once or split into two separate weeks within 56 weeks of the miscarriage.
- Parents do not need medical proof to receive the leave; they just need to inform their employer.
- Previously, Northern Ireland offered paid bereavement leave only for stillbirths after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
- The rest of the UK plans to introduce unpaid miscarriage leave in 2027.
- The change is aimed at helping individuals and couples process grief and reduce relationship strain.
