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

UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Two-Week Miscarriage Leave

For Erin Sharkey, the emotional toll of miscarriage once left her and her partner grappling with uncertainty about how much time to take off work. Now, as Northern Ireland becomes the first region in the UK to offer two weeks of paid leave for parents following a miscarriage at any pregnancy stage, the situation feels more manageable. Erin, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, emphasized that the policy will provide “validation for their feelings” and allow couples to “process the loss together.” She noted that while her employer was supportive, societal expectations often pushed her to return to work quickly.

Under the new scheme, parents are entitled to two weeks of paid leave at the statutory rate of over £194 per week, or 90% of their weekly earnings if that is lower. The leave can be taken in one continuous block or split into two separate periods within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Importantly, no medical evidence is required—only a simple declaration of the event to the employer.

“Allowing couples time to spend grieving together after a loss is in itself extremely therapeutic,” said Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation. She shared her own experience of losing a baby in 2021 during a routine prenatal appointment, when she was told there was no heartbeat. Three days later, she gave birth and left with her son in a tiny casket, accompanied by a support group leaflet. “It took five days for the shock to hit me,” she recalled.

Megan Crowe, a therapist at the same charity, highlighted how the leave policy can help parents reclaim control of their emotional journey. “They can be in the present moment to help them get support early,” she said, reflecting on her own loss at 12 weeks of pregnancy in 2020. “The two weeks of leave will make such a difference,” she added, contrasting it with the chaotic experience of previous miscarriages where there was “no other provision.”

Rebecca Hutchinson, whose son Freddie was lost in 2025, described the rapid timeline of her loss. “I had just been for my 20-week scan and all was looking well,” she said. A week later, she went into early labour and delivered Freddie at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool. “The time from when I went into labour until Freddie’s funeral was exactly a week,” she explained. “Looking back, it just felt chaotic because it all happened so quickly.”

While the Westminster government plans to extend unpaid leave for England, Scotland, and Wales in 2027, Northern Ireland’s current policy stands as a pioneering step. “The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks’ leave, from day one, is amazing,” said Victoria Wylie, who contributed to the discussion. Her experience underscores the significance of this change in offering structured support during a vulnerable time.