Parents facing an early end to pregnancies can be entitled to differing degrees of paid leave depending on where they live, recently published research has shown.
The study reports that in different countries – and different parts of the UK – there is currently a range of inconsistent entitlements to paid leave from work in the case of pregnancies which end as a result of miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies.
Those involved in the research said they were surprised by the range of categorisations in laws about pregnancy and employment, and the complex inclusions and exclusions this creates both between - but also within – legislatures.
And at the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week, they have said their work highlights the need for the scrutiny of any new proposals around employment leave for early pregnancy endings.
Earlier this year, the Government produced a Pregnancy Loss Review which recommended that employers should find ways of supporting people experiencing the end of a pregnancy before 24 weeks.
The new study was not influenced by that work, but the researchers have called on policymakers to carefully assess the consequences of new ideas around leaves for pregnancy endings and to formulate inclusive and fair proposals for change, for example making sure that abortion and termination for foetal anomaly are not forgotten.
Published in the journal Gender, Work & Organization, the research was carried out by academics now working at the University of Plymouth, University of Essex, University College London, and the Open University.
The study’s lead author, University of Plymouth Research Fellow Dr Aimee Middlemiss , has spent a number of years examining the experiences of parents whose pregnancies end early and the many and varied challenges they face.
She is also currently working as part of the largest study to date in the world of a model that aims to improve the quality and safety of midwifery care.
Aimee Middlemiss
