Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Equality at work: miscarriage and bereavement leave

Status: Closed Opened: 29 Oct 2024 Closed: 3 Sep 2025 2 recommendations 2 conclusions 1 report

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.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report - Equality at work: Miscarriage and bereavement … HC 335 15 Jan 2025 4 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
47 Recommendation 2nd Report - Equality at work: Miscarri… Accepted

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, for employees and employers, of a generous and flexible approach …

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 …
Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
27 Nov 2024 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 View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
8 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Chief HR and OD Officer and Deputy National People Dire…