Small employers are being encouraged to review how they support colleagues affected by pregnancy loss, ahead of new bereavement leave rights planned for April 2027. Miscarriage UK has contacted BritishSME to share practical guidance and a free workplace training session during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
For a small business without a dedicated HR team, the immediate question is often a human one: what should a manager say, and how can the business give someone time and support without making a painful situation harder? A clear policy can help, but so can knowing who will listen and how everyday work will be covered.
What the government has announced
In its 22 September announcement, the government said employees experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks would gain up to two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave. The planned entitlement also recognises partners, the other biological parent and intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement.
The changes are intended to take effect in April 2027, with secondary legislation to follow. The new entitlement is not yet in force. The government says leave will be available flexibly within 56 weeks of the loss, including individual days, without requiring evidence of the bereavement.
This announcement concerns Great Britain. Businesses employing people in Northern Ireland should check the separate rules applying there; BritishSME has previously covered Northern Ireland’s miscarriage leave arrangements. Employers should check current official guidance when handling an individual request.
Support need not wait for the law to change
Miscarriage UK welcomes the recognition of pregnancy loss as a bereavement, while continuing to campaign for paid leave. Its workplace resources give employers a way to review policies and help managers respond sensitively.
The charity recommends explicitly recognising pregnancy loss in workplace policies, considering paid leave or additional flexibility, and making support available to partners as well as the person who was pregnant. It also calls for straightforward processes so employees do not have to keep explaining what has happened.
For an owner-manager, a useful starting point is to read the current absence and compassionate leave policies as an employee would. Is it clear whom to contact? Does the wording explain what support the business offers? Would someone need to tell several people before getting an answer? These are practical questions to resolve before a colleague needs help.
It is worth planning how a manager can arrange cover discreetly, too. A small team may notice an absence quickly, but that does not mean everyone needs to know the circumstances. Ask the person what they would like colleagues to be told, and agree how to keep in touch.
A free session for employers and colleagues
Miscarriage UK is promoting a free online session on Thursday 15 October, from 12.30pm to 1pm UK time, during Baby Loss Awareness Week. According to the organiser’s event listing, it will cover compassionate workplace support and the forthcoming statutory changes, and is open to HR professionals, managers, teams and colleagues.
Employers can check the session details and register through Eventbrite. Registration availability should be checked with the organiser.
The charity’s workplace hub also brings together guidance for managers, colleagues and employees, alongside training and policy support. Its Pregnancy Loss Pledge is a separate paid programme, currently listed at £99 a year; it should not be confused with the free October session.
A sensible next step is to nominate someone to review the business’s existing approach, read the charity’s resources and identify any gaps. Preparing now gives managers something more useful than an improvised answer when a colleague needs understanding.
This article was prepared following information and a press release supplied by Miscarriage UK, with the government’s announcement checked separately. No payment was received for this coverage.
Sources: Government announcement; Miscarriage UK bereavement leave guide; workplace hub; session listing.
