Right to bereavement leave after miscarriage

Monumental legislation being brought in by Labour here.

Miscarriages can be absolutely devastating for parents. The turmoil and pain that those that have experienced a miscarriage go through is not recognised under current employment laws. Miscarriages not only have a huge emotional impact, but also severe physical impacts on those experiencing them. About 250,000 expectant mothers in the UK suffer a miscarriage annually – they deserve to be able to take time to grieve and recover without having to take sick leave.

Labour’s employment rights bill will introduce the right of two weeks of bereavement leave to women and their partners if they have suffered a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation.

I want to thank everyone who has campaigned so hard for this change. I also want to thank the women and equalities select committee, and specifically its chair Sarah Owen MP, for pushing for this change with the report you published in January.