The United Kingdom is taking a step to support parents who experience early pregnancy loss. For the first time a new law will give families the legal right to bereavement leave after a miscarriage that happens before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This change comes through updates to the Employment Rights Bill and brings long-overdue recognition to the grief that many families face after such a painful experience.
Until now, parents were only given leave if their baby died after 24 weeks (a stillbirth) or if they lost a child under the age of 18. Families going through an earlier miscarriage often had no specific legal rights to time off—leaving them to use sick leave, or rely on their employer’s personal choice.
A Long-Needed Change
Miscarriages that happen before 24 weeks are very common but they haven’t always been taken seriously in terms of workplace rights. Many parents had to return to work while still grieving, sometimes even pretending they were just “sick.” For those who go through this experience, that didn’t feel right.
The UK Parliament now wants to change that. The new amendment will allow people a protected period of leave to recover and grieve, without pressure from work. According to the government, this shows greater understanding of how painful even early pregnancy loss can be.
Sarah Owen MP, who leads the Women and Equalities Select Committee, explained why this new law matters so much. She said “From my personal experience of miscarriage to the powerful testimony the Women & Equalities Select Committee heard, I know the difference that bereavement leave will make. It is a bold and necessary move from this Government to see the UK become one of only a handful of countries in the world to recognise pregnancy loss as a bereavement and give workers the right to take time off to grieve.”
Her words show how deeply personal this issue is—not just for her but for many families across the country. These are not just policies; they are lifelines during a time of grief.
What the New Law Offers
So what exactly does the law say? The final details are still being discussed—but right now, it looks like parents will be able to take at least one week of leave if they experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks. Some reports say it could be up to two weeks
This leave would be available to both the person who was pregnant and their partner. The goal is to give families time and space to grieve together. Vicki Robinson, who is the CEO of the Miscarriage Association, said on GOV.UK “This is a hugely important step that acknowledges the often very significant impact of pre-24-week loss, not only for those experiencing the physical loss, but for their partners, too.”
What Employers Need to Know
Although the law isn’t final yet—it is expected to come into full effect by 2027. That gives companies a few years to get ready. When it does become law, employers will be required to make changes to their policies. They’ll need to include clear rules about who is eligible for leave, how to request it and what kind of support the company will offer.
They also need to understand how to treat sickness connected to pregnancy loss. According to Acas, a UK workplace advice organization, any time off due to miscarriage should be recorded as a “pregnancy-related illness.” This is important because it means that time off can’t be used against employees under normal absence rules. It helps protect them from unfair treatment.
Training for managers will also be important. When someone is grieving it’s not just about policies—it’s about being kind and understanding.
A Step Towards Compassion
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, gave her support for the change by saying, “No one who is going through the heartbreak of pregnancy loss should have to go back to work before they are ready.” This message sends a strong signal that the government is serious about improving support for families.
This law will apply across England, Scotland, and Wales. That means parents in all three nations will have the same rights no matter where they live.
This change to the Employment Rights Bill marks a step forward in how workplaces treat pregnancy loss. It brings much-needed care and respect into the law and gives grieving families a voice.
Instead of being expected to act like nothing happened, parents who go through early miscarriage will soon have the legal right to take time to heal—both emotionally and physically. For many that’s something they’ve been waiting for, for a long time.
