Women suffering miscarriage forced back to work in schools

Pay arrangements that can force women back into classrooms weeks after having miscarriages have been described as inhumane.

The strong feelings on the issue were aired by secondary school teachers, who backed plans to seek changes to policy relating to pregnancy-related illness and maternity leave in schools.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) is to negotiate for all pregnancy-related illness since September 2014 to be recognised as such, rather than being considered part of the general sick-leave scheme. The unanimously-passed motion will also see the union seek maternity leave for women who miscarry or deliver stillborn at any stage during pregnancy.