Two weeks will make such a difference: Northern Ireland becomes first UK region to introduce paid miscarriage leave

When Erin Sharkey experienced miscarriages, the emotional devastation was compounded by the practical uncertainty of how much time Erin Sharkey and Erin Sharkey's partner could realistically take away from work in order to process the loss.

Today, for Erin Sharkey and for countless others living in Northern Ireland, a concrete answer arrives in the form of a statutory entitlement that grants Erin Sharkey and Erin Sharkey's partner up to two weeks of paid leave whenever a miscarriage occurs at any stage of pregnancy.

Erin Sharkey, who volunteers with the Miscarriage Association, describes the new provision as a source of validation for feelings and a valuable window of time that allows couples to process grief together.

Erin Sharkey explains that while Erin Sharkey's employer demonstrated understanding, societal expectations still created pressure for Erin Sharkey to return to the workplace rapidly.

Erin Sharkey characterises each miscarriage as a sudden collapse of "all your dreams for gorgeous happy moments", turning imagined plans for a future child into the stark reality of total loss.

"During the first few days, people were texting, saying they were thinking of me. But then that stopped. I thought I must have hit the point where people expect me to be OK," Erin Sharkey recounts.

Erin Sharkey adds that Erin Sharkey's partner did not take any day off work, because Erin Sharkey and Erin Sharkey's partner knew other families who had suffered miscarriages and whose partners had not taken time away.

"If Erin Sharkey's partner had been there with Erin Sharkey for two weeks, that would have reduced Erin Sharkey's trauma significantly," Erin Sharkey reflects.

What miscarriage leave is available in Northern Ireland?

The statutory entitlement provides two weeks of leave for a woman and her partner, paid at the statutory level of just more than £194 per week, or 90 % of weekly pay if that figure is lower.

Leave may be taken as one continuous block of time or split into two separate weeks, provided the leave is taken within 56 weeks of the miscarriage, and parents are not required to submit medical evidence; a simple notification to the employer suffices.

Prior to this legislative change, parents in Northern Ireland were only eligible for two weeks of paid bereavement leave after a stillbirth that occurred at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later, and only if they had been employed for a minimum of 26 weeks.

The same limited provision continues to apply across the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Westminster government, however, has outlined a future plan to introduce a separate measure for England, Scotland and Wales in 2027, granting parents the right to at least one week of unpaid leave after a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy.

The founder of a baby‑loss counselling charity emphasises that the Northern Ireland entitlement will "save relationships".

Psychotherapist Selina Casey, who established the White Butterfly Foundation after the loss of a baby in 2021, shares a personal account of the day she learned there was no heartbeat during a routine appointment for her third child.

Three days after that appointment, Selina Casey was admitted to deliver her son, and she left the hospital the following day carrying "a tiny casket and a leaflet for a support group" before proceeding directly to a graveside burial.

"Then, five days on, that's when I was able to start grieving," Selina Casey explains.

In her professional capacity, Selina Casey has observed that the trauma of miscarriage frequently places significant strain on romantic partnerships.

"Allowing couples time to spend grieving together after a loss is in itself extremely therapeutic," Selina Casey asserts.

"Couples need to hold each other in those early stages of grief," Selina Casey adds.

Megan Crowe, a therapist at the White Butterfly Foundation, endured the loss of a baby at approximately 12 weeks of pregnancy in 2020.

"The two weeks of leave will give such an opportunity for people to take control of what they want for their own journey – as opposed to falling back into the lifestyle of who they feel they were before the loss," Megan Crowe states.

"They can be in the present moment to help them get support early," Megan Crowe continues.

The White Butterfly Foundation operates a counselling room and supportive facilities near the village of Portglenone in County Antrim.

Dozens of hand‑crafted ceramic tiles adorn the walls, each inscribed with a tribute to a lost baby.

Among those tributes is the name of Rebecca Hutchinson's son Freddie, who was lost in 2025.

Rebecca Hutchinson recounts that a routine 20‑week scan had shown everything looking well, yet a week later she entered early labour.

Freddie was taken to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool for a post‑mortem examination.

"The time from when I went into labour until Freddie's funeral was exactly a week," Rebecca Hutchinson reflects.

"Looking back, it just felt chaotic, because it all happened so quickly. It took time for the shock to hit me," Rebecca Hutchinson adds.

Rebecca Hutchinson took sick leave from work, as she had done after a previous miscarriage at eight weeks, because "there was no other provision".

"We were lucky because our employers were so understanding and gave us space – but that's not always the case," Rebecca Hutchinson acknowledges.

"The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks' leave, from day one, is amazing – it'll make such a difference," Rebecca Hutchinson concludes.

Victoria Wylie sought support from the White Butterfly Foundation in 2024 after losing her son Alexander at 23 weeks of pregnancy.

In January, Victoria Wylie experienced a third miscarriage at eight weeks of pregnancy.

"There was a full week of medical appointments and decisions, before I could even start truly grieving," Victoria Wylie describes.

Victoria Wylie highlights that time off is "so helpful" because it "gives you time to do what you have to do, which looks different for everyone".

"Some days I just wanted to lie on the bed and cry. On others, I wanted to get away from the house, where it happened," Victoria Wylie continues.

Victoria Wylie notes that the family held a small burial at home and planted a hawthorn tree; now, in spring, the leaves are beginning to reappear, offering a gentle visual reminder of renewal.

Statistical estimates indicate that approximately 9,000 employees in Northern Ireland encounter miscarriage each year.

The financial implication of the leave provision amounts to an annual cost of £3.5 million for the devolved government.

Eligibility for the entitlement begins from the first day of employment, regardless of tenure.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald emphasises, "Miscarriage is a very personal and profound loss. It's important that women and their families are supported through such a difficult period, and that they get support in their workplace."

Victoria Wylie repeats that the new provision in Northern Ireland is "amazing".

"Some people might want to take time off for anniversaries, birthdays and important dates. On Alexander's due date we went to the zoo, because we had got him a little otter teddy. We took pictures of the teddy in front of the otters. We'll take a day off in August, when my last baby would have been due. That option will be there – and now lots of other people will have it as well," Victoria Wylie concludes.