Equality at work: miscarriage and bereavement leave

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 29 Oct 2024 Closed: 3 Sep 2025 Parliament page
The Committee will hear evidence from charities, researchers, HR professionals, employers and trade unions about workplace support for women and their partners who experience miscarriage and pregnancy loss. This will include examining the case for extending eligibility for parental bereavement leave. Read more
2 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Letter
1 Event
Activity timeline 5 events
24 Mar
2025
Report published
15 Jan
2025
Report published
8 Jan
2025
Correspondence
27 Nov
2024
Oral evidence
27 Nov
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
27 Nov 2024
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Women and Equalities Committee
Dr Jessica Farren · University College London Hospitals Munira Oza · Ectopic Pregnancy Trust Nicole Basra · Dentsu International Rachel Suff · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Rhea Wolfson · GMB Union Thomas Simons · NHS England Vicki Robinson · The Miscarriage Association
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Equality at work: Miscarriage and bereavement leave HC 335 15 Jan 2025 4 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
46 Conclusion Not Addressed
2nd Report - Equality at work: Mis…
Sick leave inadequate for miscarriage support, lacking confidentiality, dignity, and sufficient pay
conclusion Sick leave is an inappropriate and inadequate form of employer support in the aftermath of a miscarriage or pregnancy loss. It does not afford women adequate confidentiality or dignity and puts them at high risk of employment discrimination. The … Read more
Government Response
The government response details existing entitlements for pregnancy loss after 24 weeks (stillbirths) and general emergency leave, but does not address the conclusion that sick leave is an inappropriate and inadequate form of support for pre-24 week pregnancy loss.
Government Equalities Office
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47 Recommendation Accepted
2nd Report - Equality at work: Mis…
Promote benefits of generous pre-24-week pregnancy loss leave policies and strengthen awareness guidance
recommendation There has been good progress among employers in recent years in acknowledging miscarriage as a bereavement. An increasing number are establishing excellent pregnancy loss policies, including generous and flexible periods of paid leave for women and partners. The benefits, … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the principle of bereavement leave for pregnancy loss and looks forward to further discussions on a statutory entitlement as the Employment Rights Bill progresses. New guidance has also been issued to support NHS employers in providing advice and support for staff affected by baby loss.
Government Equalities Office
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48 Conclusion Rejected
2nd Report - Equality at work: Mis…
Substantial gaps in employer pregnancy loss provision necessitate a minimum legal standard for paid leave
conclusion While there have been incremental improvements in recent years, substantial gaps in employer-led provision remain. The case for a minimum standard in law is overwhelming. A period of paid bereavement leave should be available to all women and partners … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the insensitivity of classifying miscarriage bereavement as sick leave but argues that Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and existing ACAS guidance are available and appropriate, effectively declining to commit to a new minimum legal standard for paid bereavement leave.
Government Equalities Office
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49 Recommendation Acknowledged
2nd Report - Equality at work: Mis…
Extend statutory parental bereavement leave and pay to employees experiencing pre-24-week pregnancy losses
recommendation We intend to table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill in the name of our Chair for consideration at Report stage. The amendments are set out in annex B of this report. They seek to extend the same entitlements … Read more
Government Response
The government fully accepts the principle of bereavement leave and commits to working with stakeholders such as CIPD, ACAS, and TUC to explore further actions, but does not explicitly commit to supporting the proposed amendments or bringing forward its own legislation at this stage.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 4 of 2 classified
Accepted 1
Acknowledged 1
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 1
Total 2 recs + 2 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
8 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Chief HR and OD Officer and Deputy National People Director: Equality at work: miscarriage and bereavement leave, dated 12 December 2024
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