A solicitor has vowed to redouble her efforts to secure a transformation in how employers treat baby loss.
Keeley Lengthorn, who began a campaign to enact a law change after she lost her son George in March 2022, has been travelling the country giving talks on why change is needed.
At the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week today, Lengthorn said the campaign for George’s Law had taken on new life, even if proposed legislation in the House of Commons has not come to fruition.
She said: ‘George’s Law has stalled in parliament but with many firms now voluntarily adopting their own policies for statutory leave in the case of baby-loss, there is progress being made with further efforts to drive it up the legislative agenda. And I plan to push even harder in the coming weeks and months to make the law a reality.’
Lengthorn, a partner at south east firm Taylor Rose MW, wants parents who lose a baby under 24 weeks to have statutory entitlement to three days’ paid leave from work. She has said before that miscarriage is not an illness but for employment purposes it is considered as ‘sick leave’ if parents take time off.
Lengthorn spoke at the inaugural Family Law Conference in Manchester last month and shared her story of enduring the loss of a child.
‘It was a privilege to speak at this event and to share the story behind George’s Law,’ she added. ‘Many people told me how overwhelmed they were to learn about the campaign.
‘Now I really hope those in attendance will now support us moving forward to bring George’s Law to fruition.’
This week will see more than 100 charities and support groups raise awareness of key issues that affect people who have lost a baby, and spread the word that there is support and a community for those affected. Landmark buildings such as Blackpool Tower, Marble Arch and Cardiff City Hall are all lit up pink and blue to mark the week.
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