In March 2021, New Zealand’s ruling Labour Party introduced 3 days of bereavement leave for women and their partners following miscarriage. In the UK Parliament, members of opposition parties have called for the UK to match New Zealand’s policy but Boris Johnson indicated that the government has no intention of changing the law.
New Zealand’s Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill (No 2) classifies miscarriage as a relevant bereavement under the Holidays Act 2003. This change allows women and partners 3 days’ paid leave, unlimited by gestational age, or proof of pregnancy. Terminations of pregnancy are excluded.
In the UK, the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2020 introduced 2 weeks’ statutory bereavement leave for pregnancy loss after 24 weeks (stillbirth), which extends to loss of a child up to 18 years. Parents are also entitled to take any maternity leave or shared parental leave planned prior to the…