Sunderland charity tells us paid bereavement leave for those experiencing a miscarriage is needed
Sunderland baby loss charity are backing calls from MPs for people to have paid bereavement leave if they experience a miscarriage
A Sunderland baby loss charity are backing calls from MPs for people to have paid bereavement leave if they experience a miscarriage.
A report by the Women and Equalities Committee says that sick leave is an "inappropriate and inadequate form of employer support" for couples after such a pregnancy loss.
Since April 2020 employees can be eligible for statutory parental bereavement leave and pay if there is a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, but there is no specific leave for a pre-24 week loss in the form of miscarriage.
The committee said the two-week leave period should be also made available to those bereaved as a result of pre-24 week pregnancy loss.
Kirsty Knight, co-founder of baby loss support charity 4Louis, said: "Miscarriage is often overlooked for what it is. It is baby loss. It doesn't matter how far the family is pregnant. They found out that they're pregnant. They are making changes in their lifestyle and making plans.
"Bereavement leave would be very beneficial for these families. It would be marked as bereavement and not just off on the sick. You have lost your child, and it is something that is needed for these families.
"They’re changing their mindset, their lifestyle, preparing for a new baby to arrive, and then suddenly it's took away. It's only right that these families are treat the same as another family who's lost at 38 weeks.
"A lot of families find it very scary because they're looking at their finances, so, you know, not only have you lost a child, but you’re also hit with financial issues as well. People are pushed to go back to work just so that they can afford to live."