Labour MP Ginny Andersen has put forward a law change to guarantee bereavement leave for miscarriage. Photo / Digital Alchemist
It happens all the time but we hardly ever talk about it. About one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, leaving many couples struggling with unresolved grief and social isolation. In this 10-part video-based online series, made by Digital Alchemist and funded by NZ On Air,
we break down the myths and provide practical help. We hear from well-known NZ personalities - The Hits host and te reo advocate Stacey Morrison, TVNZ presenter and journalist Miriamo Kamo and funeral director Kaiora Tipene from The Casketeers - about their personal experiences and follow the stories of six couples who have been through the trauma of miscarriage.
The physical and emotional experience of miscarriage is different for everyone, and for people who are employed, another layer of complexity is involved. Operations, medications, bleeding, and grieving may have to be managed alongside the demands of family and work life.
Sick leave may be taken - and anything from half a day to several days might be required, depending on the individual and their situation.
But under New Zealand law, bereavement leave for those who suffer miscarriage is not currently a given. Instead, the onus is on the employee to discuss the loss with their employer and reach an agreement over whether bereavement leave may be taken. This grey area in the law has led to many women and their partners being denied the opportunity to grieve their losses.
