Received from: NASUWT, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Comprising of Motion 9 and amends
Congress asserts that losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy can have devastating and lifelong impacts on a person’s emotional and physical wellbeing as well as on their partner and families.
Congress notes the devastation surrounding miscarriage and other forms of early pregnancy loss such as ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy, and that the stigma surrounding such loss leaves too many parents struggling with often little or no support to deal with their grief at work.
Low paid workers and those in insecure, temporary employment are amongst those commonly excluded from statutory parental bereavement leave specifically and carer friendly employment rights more broadly. Some employers have introduced contractual provisions that acknowledge the physical, mental and emotional health implications of miscarriage.
NHS England’s new National Policy Framework encourages employers to offer up to 10 days paid special leave to staff who experience a miscarriage. More workers would however benefit from statutory rights.
Congress is deeply concerned that despite the introduction of the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act in 2020, introducing two weeks’ statutory bereavement leave for pregnancy loss after 24 weeks (stillbirth), it remains the case that those who have had the tragic experience of a miscarriage before 24 weeks, have no right to bereavement leave and are ineligible for maternity or paternity leave.
Congress believes that this situation where primarily sick leave or annual leave are the only options available is wholly unacceptable and calls on the TUC to:
i. campaign for the introduction of a day one right to paid miscarriage leave for anyone (irrespective of employment status or earnings) who has experienced a miscarriage or other forms of early pregnancy loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy, coupled with the provision of specialist support that recognises the extremely traumatic experience of miscarriage for all those involved
ii. develop resources and training materials to assist trade unions in negotiating agreements with employers that recognises miscarriage as bereavement rather than sickness absence and affords it the same legal protections as other parental bereavement.
Mover: NASUWT
Seconder: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Supporters: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, FDA