Ectopic pregnancy
Statutory leave for early pregnancy loss: A comparative study
Our study identified two main approaches to leave introduced for pregnancy loss before viability: sick leave model and compassionate leave model. What works in individual jurisdictions will depend-among other factors-on the way in which leave more broadly is addressed.
- Authors
Ruadh Kelly-Harrington, Marita Hennessy, Sara Leitao, Daniel Nuzum, Keelin O’Donoghue
- Year
- 2024
- Journal Name
- European Labour Law Journal
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Early pregnancy / Early pregnancy loss, Ectopic pregnancy, First-trimester miscarriage, Miscarriage, Molar pregnancy / Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, Pregnancy loss, Second-trimester miscarriage, Termination of pregnancy
- Project
- Full Citation
Kelly-Harrington R, Murray C, Hennessy M, Leitao S, O’Sullivan M, Dalton-O’Connor C, Nuzum D, O’Donoghue K, Donnelly M. Statutory leave for early pregnancy loss: A comparative study. European Labour Law Journal. 2024;15(4), 695-710. https://doi.org/10.1177/20319525241263177.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1177/20319525241263177
Abstract
Pregnancy loss prior to fetal viability is a common experience for women worldwide – 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Statutory leave for such losses is in focus in an increasing number of countries. We aim to help inform these debates by presenting the findings of a comparative study of jurisdictions which have introduced such leave. We identified two main approaches: leave based on the sick leave model and leave based on the compassionate leave model; both have strengths and limitations. What works in each individual jurisdiction will depend, among other factors, on the way in which the jurisdiction in question addresses the issue of leave more broadly. However, regardless of the model adopted, we argue that some form of statutory leave for miscarriage and other pregnancy loss should be introduced on the basis that such leave serves to reinforce the equality agenda, provides a chance for care and recovery following pregnancy loss, and serves an important expressive and educative goal in ensuring better understanding of the impact of pregnancy loss on those who experience such loss.