Keeley Lengthorn urges the government to provide paid leave for women experiencing miscarriages, highlighting the need for better support.
London: Keeley Lengthorn, a solicitor and campaigner, is calling for the government to take action on a recent report from MPs. This report suggests that women who suffer a miscarriage should receive paid leave.
During her chat on GB News, Keeley pointed out that currently, there’s no paid leave for this situation. She believes the report is a significant step forward.
The Commons Women and Equalities committee is recommending two weeks of paid leave for miscarriages before 24 weeks. This would align with the rights given to those who lose a baby after that point.
Right now, women are expected to take this time off as sick leave, which doesn’t feel right. Keeley shared her own experience of losing her baby, George, at 22 and a half weeks. She emphasized that it’s not just sick leave; it’s a profound loss.
She expressed frustration over the current laws, saying it’s inappropriate to expect someone to return to work the next day after such a loss. There’s a real gap in the law that needs addressing.
With one in five women experiencing miscarriage, Keeley highlighted the recent introduction of baby loss certificates as a positive step. However, she stressed that more support is needed for parents to grieve properly.
She pointed out that when someone goes back to work too soon, they’re not performing at their best. Keeley also mentioned that midwives have faced similar challenges, but the NHS has now implemented a baby loss policy allowing ten days of paid leave.
If the NHS, the largest employer in the UK, can do this, Keeley questions why the government can’t follow suit. She noted that while some businesses are starting to offer pregnancy loss policies, it’s crucial to make this a legal requirement.
Many smaller companies still don’t provide this support, leaving employees in tough situations. Keeley often hears from people who have lost a baby and are told they need to return to work too soon.
She also raised concerns about the stigma of taking time off as sick leave, which can affect future job opportunities. There’s a clear need for employment laws to evolve and fill this gap.
