Employees to get paid leave after a miscarriage

FEDERAL Parliament has passed historic changes to the Fair Work Act, giving Australian couples who experience miscarriage two days of paid bereavement leave.

Two weeks after the laws came into effect in September, Geelong woman Penny Jenkins and her partner Ben suffered their fourth miscarriage in 12 months.

Penny used all her leave to recover from surgery and grieve through her previous three losses, but for her fourth loss, she was able to get access to the new entitlement.

“In Australia, they have only just recognised early pregnancy loss with a two-day paid period for leave. For my first three losses, this was not in place, so I used all my leave and annual leave to grieve. I was grieving and healing,” Ms Jenkins said.

Penny is sharing her story to raise awareness during Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness month (PAIL) in October.

“PAIL is important to me as I have lost four pregnancies in the past year, these losses have highlighted the shared grief so many women experience yet it remains a silenced subject, it’s time to use our voices to change this as a collective for all families.”

Red Nose is a national charity working to save little lives and support families impacted by the death of a baby or child.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage in Australia, which equates to 110,000 women as well as their partners and families experiencing this trauma every year.

Red Nose Australia co-chief executive officer Jackie Mead said the two extra days of paid leave was a leap in the right direction.

“It does help families financially, but, more importantly, it can break the silence around early pregnancy loss. Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness month is all about starting conversations that often aren’t had.”

Throughout October, Red Nose is encouraging Australians affected by miscarriage, stillbirth or death of a newborn to share their stories via social media if they feel able to.

“Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness month allows us to acknowledge the many families who experience much of their grief in silence. It’s those moments of ‘silence’ that families carry with them,” Ms Mead said.

Red Nose is hosting a range of PAIL events throughout October, plus a virtual Walk to Remember for those affected by COVID restrictions.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is on October 15. The organisation provides a 24/7 support line for bereaved parents and other support services.