What’s being introduced
The consultation response confirms the following:
- Two weeks’ statutory miscarriage leave, available to the woman who experienced the loss and her partner
- Leave can be taken as one continuous period or two separate weeks, within 56 weeks of the loss
- Statutory miscarriage pay, paid at the standard statutory rate (expected to be £194.32 per week from April 2026)
- No intrusive evidence requirements – employees will be able to self-declare the loss
- Employer cost recovery through existing HMRC arrangements, in line with other statutory payments
Legislation will be brought forward over the coming months, to have the new rights in force by April 2026.
Why does this matter?
Miscarriage is common, deeply personal, and often invisible in the workplace. Until now, there has been no specific statutory entitlement in Northern Ireland to recognise pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, leaving many employees relying on sick leave, annual leave, or employer goodwill.
These changes matter because they:
- Acknowledge miscarriage as a bereavement, not an illness
- Provide consistency and clarity for employers and employees
- Reduce the pressure on staff to return to work too soon
- Support more compassionate and inclusive workplace cultures
For employers, this isn’t just about legal compliance. How organisations respond to pregnancy loss has a real impact on staff wellbeing, retention, and trust.
What should employers do now?
While the new rights won’t take effect until April 2026, employers should start preparing now:
- Review existing policies on bereavement, sickness and family leave to identify gaps
- Train managers to handle pregnancy loss conversations sensitively and consistently
- Avoid waiting for the legal minimum; some organisations may choose to introduce miscarriage leave earlier
- Budget and plan for statutory pay administration in line with other family-related payments
Getting this right early will make implementation smoother and reduce the risk of poor practice once the law changes.
Further support and guidance
NICVA will continue to track the legislation as it develops and provide practical guidance for community and voluntary sector employers in Northern Ireland.
Read the full consultation response and Way Forward document here: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/good-jobs-employment-rights-bill-public-consultation-response
