Lesson
NI Offers Paid Miscarriage Leave
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to provide two weeks of paid leave for parents after a miscarriage, offering support during a difficult time.
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Standard — Natural English
62 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Northern Ireland has a new law. Parents can take two weeks off work after a miscarriage. This leave is paid. It helps parents deal with their loss. They do not need to show medical proof. This is important for many families.Standard version (B1–B2)
Northern Ireland has become the first part of the UK to offer paid leave for parents who experience a miscarriage. Parents can take two weeks of paid leave, which is important for emotional recovery. This leave is available without needing medical evidence. Previously, parents only had paid leave after a stillbirth at 24 weeks. This change helps families process their loss better.Advanced version (C1–C2)
Northern Ireland has made a significant legislative change by becoming the first region in the UK to offer paid leave for parents following a miscarriage, allowing them to take two weeks off work. This leave, which is compensated at the statutory rate, aims to provide essential support during a profoundly challenging time. Unlike previous regulations that only permitted paid leave after a stillbirth at 24 weeks, this new provision recognizes the emotional impact of miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. Parents are not required to submit medical documentation, which simplifies the process and acknowledges the need for time to grieve and heal together.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01What new leave has Northern Ireland introduced?
02How long is the paid leave for miscarriage in Northern Ireland?
03What is the payment rate for the leave?
04What did Erin Sharkey say about her experience with miscarriage?
Discussion
How do you think paid leave for miscarriage can impact society's view on parental loss?
Vocabulary
miscarriage word
the loss of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy
“Many women experience a miscarriage, which can be very painful.”
bereavement word
the period of mourning after a loss
“Bereavement leave allows employees time to grieve.”
statutory word
required by law
“The statutory leave is paid at a set rate.”
validation word
recognition or affirmation of a feeling or belief
“The new law gives validation to parents' feelings of loss.”
employer word
a person or organization that hires people to work
“An employer must support their employees during difficult times.”