From 6 April 2026, important changes are coming to Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay in Northern Ireland — and employers need to be prepared.
The Department for the Economy has confirmed that eligibility will be expanded, and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP) will become a day-one right.
These changes apply to Northern Ireland employees only.
Let’s break down what this means in practice.
Miscarriage Now Covered Under Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay
Currently, Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay applies where a child under 18 dies, including stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy.
From 6 April 2026, this entitlement will extend to include:
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Miscarriage (spontaneous pregnancy loss)
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Specified medical interventions resulting in pregnancy loss
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Employees who have a defined relationship or connection to the woman who experienced the miscarriage
This is a significant development and reflects a move towards broader recognition of pregnancy loss in employment law.
Evidence Requirements
As with existing Parental Bereavement Leave arrangements:
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No medical evidence will be required.
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For Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay, the employee must provide:
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A written self-declaration confirming they meet the eligibility conditions
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Their name
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The date the miscarriage occurred or was discovered
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This keeps the process straightforward and avoids placing additional burden on employees during an extremely difficult time.
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay Becomes a Day-One Right
One of the most notable changes is that Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay will become a day-one employment right.
This removes:
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Any minimum service requirement
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The need to rely solely on previous actual earnings
Employees will be able to qualify based on:
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Their actual earnings, or
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Expected earnings calculated on a reasonable basis
The intention is clear — no employee should be left without financial support at a time of profound personal loss.
Important Transitional Points for Employers
There are a few key points payroll and HR teams must be aware of:
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Existing entitlements gained before 6 April 2026 will continue to operate under the current rules.
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The new miscarriage entitlement is not retrospective.
It will not apply where the miscarriage occurred or was discovered before 6 April 2026. -
From 6 April 2026 onwards, all existing rights under Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay will apply in full to qualifying miscarriage cases.
What Employers Should Do Now
Although April 2026 may feel some way off, this is not something to leave until the last minute.
You should:
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Review and update your bereavement and family leave policies
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Ensure payroll systems can accommodate day-one SPBP entitlement
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Brief managers so they understand the expanded scope of eligibility
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Prepare internal guidance to handle these cases sensitively and consistently
This is more than a compliance update — it’s about responding appropriately at one of the most difficult times an employee may face.
If you’re a Northern Ireland employer, now is the time to make sure your processes are aligned well ahead of implementation.