A termination/abortion is a medical or surgical procedure to end a woman’s pregnancy.
A woman may arrange for an abortion/to terminate her pregnancy for a variety of reasons.
We support women’s reproductive rights and bodily autonomy which includes the right to choose – the right of a woman to make her own decisions in and around her pregnancy.
Some women are advised to undergo a termination for medical reasons (known as TFMR) where a much-wanted pregnancy is ended either because of the health of the mother or because of a medical condition relating to the baby (sometimes referred to as the termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly or TOPFA).
If you have had a termination/abortion, you are not alone. As the education sector has a predominantly female workforce, it is likely that other women colleagues in your workplace will have needed to arrange a termination. Nearly 3 per cent of respondents to our maternity rights survey in 2022 said that they had a termination in the past five years while working in education.
If another woman at your school or college has confided to you that she has had a termination/ abortion, you could consider discussing your intentions with her to help you work through your experience and help you navigate protecting your rights at work.
You should be able to disclose your pregnancy and termination/abortion without fear of being disadvantaged or discriminated against. It is entirely your decision whether to inform your line manager or employer of your circumstances. Be aware that while your pregnancy is continuing, your employer isn’t required to undertake a pregnancy risk assessment if it is not aware of your pregnancy. If you do decide to disclose, please discuss with your employer your health and safety needs, your preferences for confidentiality and how your privacy will be protected.
Some women may decide to schedule a termination/abortion during a school closure period to avoid having to take time off for the procedure, or for the recovery, or to avoid probing questions. Our 2022 maternity survey revealed that nearly half (44 per cent) of women who had undergone an abortion, scheduled the procedure outside of term time. There is no obligation on you to avoid taking time off during school time. Our advice is that you do what is best for you, for your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Should you need additional support at work or time off to recover, your line manager/employer should listen to you, show sympathy and understanding, put in place any adjustments to assist you at work and enable you to take the time off you need to recuperate.
Detrimental treatment of you on grounds of your pregnancy would be unlawful. If you need to terminate your pregnancy and your employer is ideologically opposed to abortion, we recommend that you take advice from the NEU AdviceLine, you’ll find details at the end of this guidance.
The majority of terminations are carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Most contractual and all statutory maternity leave and pay entitlements are available only to women who have carried a pregnancy to at least 24 weeks. In most cases your standard sick absence and pay policy will apply should you need sick leave.
In very limited circumstances, for example if the mother’s life is at risk or the child would be born with a significant disability, a termination will be carried out after 24 weeks of pregnancy. On these rare occasions, the usual maternity leave and pay rights will apply. Guidance on maternity leave and pay is available on our website.
If you have an emergency
❱ If you require an emergency termination for medical reasons or another reason, inform your line manager, head, or principal that you are experiencing a medical emergency and arrange - or ask someone to help you arrange - an emergency medical consultation.
❱ Be vigilant about your health and follow any medical advice.
❱ If you are going to need some time off on sick leave, ask your medical practitioner for a ‘fit note’ (aka a sick note) and follow your usual sickness reporting procedures.
❱ If you prefer to keep your pregnancy and your termination private from your employer, you can ask that this information is excluded from the medical note.
❱ Should you require immediate, confidential support including counselling or coaching related to your termination, you can contact the Education Partnership helpline on 08000 562 561 or at educationsupport.org.uk
As you recover
❱ Once your physical health has stabilised after your procedure, you may or may not be ready to return to work; seek advice from your medical practitioner.
❱ Familiarise yourself with your terms and conditions – they should be listed in your letter of appointment. Seek out the school or college sickness, maternity-related, pregnancy loss and any other absence policies – your NEU workplace rep or school office should be able to help you locate them.
❱ You are under no obligation to disclose your private information. If you have disclosed your pregnancy and/or your need to have a termination to your employer, you are entirely within your rights to ask that the information remains confidential.
❱ Again, do what is best for you, for your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Some women prefer to share information as they deal with a termination; speaking to other women with similar experiences can help you understand and assert your rights at work.
❱ Seek advice from your GP if you are being pressed to return to work before you are physically or mentally ready to return. It can be particularly difficult for teachers and support staff to return to an education setting when they are grieving the termination of a pregnancy.
❱ Use and share the practical pack of NEU pregnancy loss and termination resources. You could ask your rep or line manager whether your school or college has adopted the NEU model policy – it can be used by members to improve the safety, welfare, and other working conditions of working women who need a termination/abortion.
❱ Keep records and screenshots of your conversations and communications with your employer or agency and confirm all important conversations by email.
❱ Ask your NEU rep for support if your head, line manager, employer or agency does not uphold your rights.
❱ Ask your local NEU branch to affiliate to Abortion Rights.
❱ If you need further advice about your rights at work, contact the NEU AdviceLine on 0345 811 8111 or email us at [email protected]
Pregnancy loss and termination
An introduction to our resources for members, reps and leaders on pregnancy loss and termination.