Northern Ireland Leads the Way: Paid Bereavement Leave extended to miscarriage and early Pregnancy Loss
Northern Ireland has become the first region in the UK – and the northern hemisphere – to extend statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay to include miscarriage and early pregnancy loss from before 24 weeks.
This gives bereaved parents clearer protections, and time to grieve, recognising the deeply personal and often overlooked impact of pregnancy loss.
Previously, Parental Bereavement Leave applied only to families experiencing a stillbirth after 24 weeks or the death of a child under 18, and employees had to meet a qualifying period of continuous employment.
From April 6 2026 in Northern Ireland, the entitlement becomes a day-one right, available to all eligible employees who experience pregnancy or baby loss, covering both the pregnant woman and anyone with a defined connection to the pregnancy. Eligible employees can take up to two weeks of paid leave, at any time within 56 weeks of the loss.
At Petals, we welcome this change. In January 2026, we responded to the UK government consultation on bereavement leave. We joined the call for the UK government to change the entitlement to two weeks of paid leave for all bereaved parents. A survey with our clients made it clear: this support is needed and matters.
Northern Ireland’s landmark move recognises the deeply personal and often overlooked impact of pregnancy loss, providing bereaved parents with clearer protections, compassion, and space to recover.. Our research and client surveys have consistently highlighted that paid, flexible leave for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss is not just a legal issue – it is a human one. Grieving parents need time and space to recover, without the added pressure of work.
While Northern Ireland is leading the way, we hope this will be the start of wider reform across the UK. Parents everywhere deserve the same recognition, support, and compassion in their workplaces during such profoundly difficult times.
This change reflects a growing understanding that pregnancy loss affects families in deeply personal ways and that workplaces have a role to play in supporting recovery and wellbeing.
Petals will continue to advocate for compassionate policy across the UK, ensuring no parent has to face loss without the protections and care they deserve.
Petals’ response:
We are uniquely positioned at Petals because we speak to people who are recently bereaved following pregnancy and baby loss every day.
We hear and acknowledge the mental impact it has on parents when they need to return to work too early, often between appointments (including waiting for medical procedures to end the pregnancy) or while still in pain. Too often all of this is endured without support or acknowledgment. The lack of bereavement leave currently leaves parents feeling their grief is less important or valid.
Yesterday’s news was a hugely positive step, now it’s time for the rest of the UK to follow. We await the government’s response with interest.