Fortnight of paid leave kicks in today for women who suffer miscarriage plus their partners
A scheme to give people time off from work after suffering a miscarriage has now entered force in Northern Ireland.
The Province is the first part of the UK to have implemented such a scheme, which formally kicked in today.
The Department for the Economy, which administers the scheme, said it "builds on” the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act which was passed by the Assembly in 2022.
That legislation gave working parents the right to two weeks of paid leave following the death of a child under 18, or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The new regulations now extend this to also cover miscarriages.
It is available to the pregnant woman and her current partner, or the father of the child.
The new regulations also make the above bereavement leave entitlements “a day-one right”, abolishing the qualifying period of 26 weeks of continuous employment before being eligible for them.
Ahead of the introduction of the new rules, economy minister Caoimhe Archibald said: “Parents who suffer the loss of a child should be treated with care and compassion.
"These new rights allow women who experience miscarriage and their partner to take up to two weeks of paid leave to grieve and to support each other during a very difficult time.
"I welcome the Assembly’s approval of these regulations, which will make a meaningful difference to many women and families across the north.”
Her department added in a statement: “The policy and regulations require only a declaration of entitlement as requiring parents to provide medical evidence at such a distressing time would be insensitive, and would add an administrative burden to the already stretched health service.”
Sinn Fein MLA Jemma Dolan had previously said that “a miscarriage is one of the most devastating experiences any parent can face, causing untold pain and suffering,” adding: “This progressive and compassionate scheme makes the north one of the first places in Europe to offer this support.
“Sinn Fein will continue working to ensure parents receive the help they need, including bringing forward paid parental leave during neonatal care as part of the Good Jobs Bill.”
DUP health spokeswoman Diane Dodds had also previously welcomed the move.
“For too long, parents who suffer the heartbreak of still birth or miscarriage have not been afforded the recognition or support they deserve within the workplace," she said of the new rules as they were making their way through the Assembly.
"These regulations mark a significant shift, acknowledging the profound impact that early pregnancy loss can have on families.
"When I was economy minister, I introduced this legislative change...
"It reflects a growing understanding that stillbirth and miscarriage is not simply a medical event, but a deeply personal loss that requires compassion and support.
"Introducing entitlement to bereavement leave and pay following stillbirth or miscarriage will provide practical help to parents at an incredibly difficult time.”