In the midst of Singapore, there exists a painful absence — a void where mandated miscarriage leave should be. For women grappling with the emotional turmoil that follows a miscarriage, this absence becomes a heavy burden to bear.
It's a deep need for a break, a safe place to recover, heal from their sadness, and find comfort. Sadly, the law doesn't require companies to give them this time off.
This puts many women in a tough spot. On one side, they need to deal with their feelings, but on the other side, they have to keep up with their job. It's a heavy burden, and no woman should face it alone.
The Legal Side of Things on Miscarriage Leave in Singapore
While the Ministry of Manpower does provide full maternity leave for stillbirths or babies who pass away shortly after birth, they don't have provisions for miscarriages. So, most women who experience this loss have to use their regular medical or sick leave days for recovery, even if they had medical procedures or had to stay in the hospital.
It's a challenging situation, as many women grapple with balancing their emotional recovery with their work responsibilities.
On a more positive note, the Ministry of Manpower does offer some relief by granting mothers who experience a stillbirth or lose a newborn a full 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, as long as they meet certain criteria under the Government's Paid Maternity Leave scheme. This is a compassionate gesture during a difficult time.
Companies Making a Difference
But it's not all gloom and doom. Some companies, like tech start-up iSabel, are stepping up to fill the gap. They offer unlimited leave, giving their employees the time they need to heal from a miscarriage without the stress of figuring out what kind of leave to use.
iSabel Leading the Way
iSabel's CEO, Meilin Wong, says, "We're a women-led tech company focused on workplace wellbeing. We believe in supporting our people, no matter what. If one of our employees has a miscarriage, we want them to take the time they need to recover."
Miscarriage Leave Singapore: How Can You Support Someone After a Miscarriage?
If you know someone who has had a miscarriage, you can provide valuable support by:
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Being There: Sometimes, the most meaningful support is simply being present, lending a sympathetic ear, and offering a comforting shoulder.
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Avoiding Clichés: It's crucial to avoid using clichéd phrases like "everything happens for a reason." Instead, acknowledge their pain and let them know it's okay to grieve.
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Offering Practical Help: Extending a hand with practical tasks, such as preparing a meal or assisting with chores, can greatly reduce their daily stress.
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Encouraging Professional Help: Suggesting that they seek emotional support from therapists and counselors can be immensely beneficial during this challenging period.
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Respecting Their Healing Process: Keep in mind that everyone copes with grief differently. Be patient and understanding, as healing takes time.
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Supporting Their Advocacy for Miscarriage Leave: You can make a significant contribution to their well-being by standing with them in the fight for improved miscarriage leave policies at workplaces.
The Fight for Miscarriage Leave in Singapore
In the midst of an emotionally challenging time following a miscarriage, it's hard to believe that women in Singapore have to worry about getting enough time off work to heal. You see, there's no law here that requires companies to provide leave for women who've had a miscarriage. So, many women find themselves battling their loss and their job demands at the same time.
But the good news is, the fight for miscarriage leave in Singapore is gaining momentum. Parents are advocating for paid miscarriage leave to allow them more time to heal physically and emotionally after losing a child post the 22nd week of pregnancy. This would not only acknowledge the medical and emotional trauma experienced by women but also normalize miscarriage leave policies.
There are even proposals for a minimum of three days' paid leave from work after a miscarriage, which would be a great start.
Change can take a long time, but every step we take gets us closer to our goal. We need to keep pushing for understanding and respect for those who are healing from a loss.
Let's join iSabel and these brave parents in this important fight. Let's keep pushing for miscarriage leave. Because when someone is hurting, they need time to heal. And everyone deserves that time.
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