Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
2nd Report - Equality at work: Miscarriage and bereavement leave
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 335
Published 15 January 2025
Recommendations
47
Accepted
Promote benefits of generous pre-24-week pregnancy loss leave policies and strengthen awareness guidance
Recommendation
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, …
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Government Response Summary
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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49
Acknowledged
Extend statutory parental bereavement leave and pay to employees experiencing pre-24-week pregnancy losses
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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Conclusions (2)
46
Conclusion
Not Addressed
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 low rate of Statutory Sick Pay means that many women …
Government Response Summary
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.
48
Conclusion
Rejected
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 who experience a pre-24-week pregnancy loss. 17
Government Response Summary
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.