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AIBU?

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Compassionate leave for Miscarriages

179 replies

Hol1st · 16/01/2025 19:25

My employer has refused my request for paid compassionate leave due to a miscarriage at 8 weeks. She was aware of my pregnancy and I only took two days off despite having a sick note for two weeks. Apparently compassionate leave and bereavement leave aren’t to be used under these circumstances and I don’t get paid for sick leave so I’ll lose the wages. I feel so under appreciated and gutted despite all my hard work and value I’ve brought to the company, two days off isn’t approved. AIBU to be upset by this or is it normal practice?
i really really hope the new proposals for paid compassionate leave to be available under these circumstances goes ahead soon

OP posts:
UpSkilling · 16/01/2025 19:50

Meant to say it would come out of sick leave

UpSkilling · 16/01/2025 19:49

Sorry to hear about it. I had a miscarriage at work many years ago, I was also about that stage, I just popped out of the office, bought some mega pads and went back in to a meeting. Obviously everyone is different, I was upset but there were no allowances for this sort of thing. I'm sorry for your loss but eight weeks is still quite early.

BarbaraHoward · 16/01/2025 19:48

Yes sorry OP my understanding was that it comes under sick leave.

Most companies have pretty strict rules around compassionate leave and who it can be granted for. It's also pretty limited, so for example someone may be given a week for losing their spouse and then move on to sick leave.

ARealitycheck · 16/01/2025 19:42

Sorry for what happened, I see this subject is being discussed at present in parliament. As I understand it at present you could still self certify for seven days.

As much as this may sound harsh, miscarriage in early pregnancy is fairly common. I'm not sure that other than time off as sick that employers should be required to give compassionate leave. Realistically I'd say it would be another reason employers wouldn't employ women.

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