Employment Lawyer Campaigns for Paid Miscarriage Leave Following Personal Losses

An employment solicitor who suffered multiple miscarriages is leading a campaign for the government to introduce two weeks of paid statutory leave for parents experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

Offering support during difficult times – Employment lawyer Shahrzad Seifi advocates for paid miscarriage leave after her own experiences with pregnancy loss

Shahrzad Seifi’s call comes as the government announced amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, extending bereavement leave rights to cover pregnancy loss at any stage. Previously, this support was only available for losses after 24 weeks of pregnancy or the death of children under 18.

However, Ms Seifi, based at Magara Law in Bicester, Oxfordshire, believes these changes don’t address the fundamental issue of paid leave. “The ability to grieve should not be a luxury only afforded to a few,” she stated.

A Personal Journey Through Loss

Ms Seifi’s advocacy stems from her own difficult journey. She experienced two miscarriages before welcoming a healthy daughter, followed by a third miscarriage, and then the birth of her son. Each loss brought unique challenges that required time away from work to process and heal.

“Each of my losses was different, and each carried its own emotional and physical complexities, but each one required time and space to heal away from the workplace,” she explained.

The Current Legal Gap

Under existing legislation, parents facing early pregnancy loss have no guaranteed paid time off, forcing many to rely on sick leave or take unpaid days during an already traumatic period. This creates additional stress at a vulnerable time.

“Because there is no legal provision for these women, they are forced to share their intimate and personal experiences with their employer in order to get time off,” Ms Seifi highlighted. “This shouldn’t be the case. Pregnancy loss is not a sickness with a clear set of symptoms.”

The Scale of the Issue

The statistics underscore the widespread nature of early pregnancy loss. Government figures suggest around 250,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage annually, with pregnancy charity Tommy’s noting that most occur within the first 12 weeks.

“We know that one in four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage. The current approach in employment law is to ignore it. Change is long overdue,” Ms Seifi argued.

Pushing for Change

Recognising that the new Employment Rights Bill is unlikely to include provisions for paid leave, Ms Seifi has launched a petition specifically calling for two weeks of paid statutory leave for mothers and partners experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

She believes such changes would create a win-win situation: “This would not only benefit employees, but it would help employers retain staff who often struggle to return to work and leave the workforce altogether.”

Government Response

A government spokesperson acknowledged the emotional impact of pregnancy loss at any stage, stating: “We recognise losing a baby at any stage is incredibly difficult, and that’s why our Employment Rights Bill will ensure bereavement leave is widely available to those who need it.”

However, they stopped short of committing to paid leave, adding: “We will consult on further details, including the length of leave, to ensure this is shaped with the needs of both employees and employers at the forefront.”

The campaign highlights a significant gap in workplace support that affects hundreds of thousands of families each year, raising important questions about how society supports those experiencing pregnancy loss.