New employment rights introduced in April 2026 mean that Northern Ireland is the first jurisdiction in the Northern Hemisphere to provide specific support for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.

New entitlement
The new entitlement for miscarriage means that an employee in Northern Ireland who experiences a miscarriage, or an individual with a defined connection to a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, will qualify for Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay.

No medical evidence is required to access this leave. Employees simply need to submit a written self-declaration, including their name and the date the miscarriage occurred or was discovered.

This means that Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay will now apply to parents who experience:
• The loss of a child under the age of 18, including stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy.
• A miscarriage, whether due to spontaneous loss or a specified medical intervention.

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay now a day one right
From April 2026, Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay has become a day one right. Previous service and minimum earnings requirements no longer apply.

Where entitlement arose before 6 April 2026, the previous rules will continue to apply. The miscarriage entitlement is not retrospective.

Who do the changes apply to?
These changes apply only to employees in Northern Ireland.

For employers operating across Northern Ireland and other parts of Great Britain, it is important to ensure that entitlements are correctly reflected in payroll systems and that employment policies are appropriately updated.

The Labour Relations Agency has issued updated guidance, along with a webinar addressing the changes and frequently asked questions.

See: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/changes-parental-bereavement-leave-and-pay-april-2026