To: The TDs
Miscarriage and Pregnancy Related Sick Leave
Dear Deputy,
I am writing to you regarding the urgent need for statutory protections for women in the workplace, specifically in relation to miscarriage leave, pregnancy-related sick leave, and protections for pregnant workers against infectious illnesses such as slapped cheek.
I am asking for this on behalf of women across the country, but as a teacher myself, I am particularly advocating for the rights of women teachers who have been through the trauma of pregnancy loss, as well as for women more broadly. Currently, women who experience miscarriage are forced to rely on their ordinary sick leave. Miscarriage is not an illness, it is a bereavement, and it should be recognised as such in workplace policy. The lack of dedicated miscarriage leave adds unnecessary stress and financial strain to an already traumatic experience.
Pregnancy-related sick leave is also currently treated as ordinary sick leave, meaning that women who are medically advised to take time off during pregnancy are penalised by depleting their sick leave allocations. This is neither compassionate nor fair, and it urgently requires reform. The recent introduction of Covid leave immediately demonstrated that protections for women and pregnant workers can be implemented quickly when there is political will, highlighting the current lack of women’s rights in this country.
In addition, illnesses such as slapped cheek remain a serious and under-recognised risk in schools. Current HSE guidelines allow children with slapped cheek to attend school, despite the fact that this illness is highly dangerous in pregnancy. Teachers and other school staff who are pregnant are left exposed and unprotected, showing a clear need for stronger workplace safeguards in education.
I am asking for your support to ensure that the Government acts to,
1. Introduce dedicated statutory miscarriage leave, separate from sick leave, available regardless of gestation,
2. Establish pregnancy-related sick leave as a distinct category, so that women are not penalised for medical absences connected to pregnancy,
3. Review and strengthen HSE guidance on slapped cheek and implement meaningful workplace protections for pregnant teachers and other school staff.
These measures are essential to ensure fairness, compassion, and safety for women at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. I urge you to support this campaign and press for legislative action without delay.
Yours sincerely,
I am writing to you regarding the urgent need for statutory protections for women in the workplace, specifically in relation to miscarriage leave, pregnancy-related sick leave, and protections for pregnant workers against infectious illnesses such as slapped cheek.
I am asking for this on behalf of women across the country, but as a teacher myself, I am particularly advocating for the rights of women teachers who have been through the trauma of pregnancy loss, as well as for women more broadly. Currently, women who experience miscarriage are forced to rely on their ordinary sick leave. Miscarriage is not an illness, it is a bereavement, and it should be recognised as such in workplace policy. The lack of dedicated miscarriage leave adds unnecessary stress and financial strain to an already traumatic experience.
Pregnancy-related sick leave is also currently treated as ordinary sick leave, meaning that women who are medically advised to take time off during pregnancy are penalised by depleting their sick leave allocations. This is neither compassionate nor fair, and it urgently requires reform. The recent introduction of Covid leave immediately demonstrated that protections for women and pregnant workers can be implemented quickly when there is political will, highlighting the current lack of women’s rights in this country.
In addition, illnesses such as slapped cheek remain a serious and under-recognised risk in schools. Current HSE guidelines allow children with slapped cheek to attend school, despite the fact that this illness is highly dangerous in pregnancy. Teachers and other school staff who are pregnant are left exposed and unprotected, showing a clear need for stronger workplace safeguards in education.
I am asking for your support to ensure that the Government acts to,
1. Introduce dedicated statutory miscarriage leave, separate from sick leave, available regardless of gestation,
2. Establish pregnancy-related sick leave as a distinct category, so that women are not penalised for medical absences connected to pregnancy,
3. Review and strengthen HSE guidance on slapped cheek and implement meaningful workplace protections for pregnant teachers and other school staff.
These measures are essential to ensure fairness, compassion, and safety for women at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. I urge you to support this campaign and press for legislative action without delay.
Yours sincerely,
Why is this important?
There is currently no leave for Miscarriage Leave in Ireland, only for past a certain gestation. Loss is loss and should be treated as so.
It should not come out of normal sick leave.
It should be Compassionate Leave, of Bereavement Leave.
Women should not have to look at their Sick Leave after undergoing such trauma.
Covid leave was brought in straight away, which shows the lack of women’s rights in our country.
It should not come out of normal sick leave.
It should be Compassionate Leave, of Bereavement Leave.
Women should not have to look at their Sick Leave after undergoing such trauma.
Covid leave was brought in straight away, which shows the lack of women’s rights in our country.