As progressive workplaces move towards a more open and supportive culture, the impact of baby loss, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, is becoming more widely talked about. However, employer support is often focused on mothers, with less consideration given to the fact fathers are suffering too. As men are far less likely to disclose […]
Baby Loss Awareness Week is held every year in the UK from 9 – 15 October and is a time for people to come together to commemorate the lives of babies lost in pregnancy or at or soon after birth. Regardless of the stage of the pregnancy that loss occurs, it is a deeply personal […]
This week marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, between 9-15 October. While other awareness days or weeks are widely discussed in the corporate space, this one appears to be less so. Baby or pregnancy loss is often a hidden subject in the workplace, with many employees perhaps preferring not to disclose their experience beyond a need-to-know […]
Employee benefits provider Unum UK has enhanced its pregnancy loss support and signed the Miscarriage Association’s pregnancy loss pledge to help staff affected by loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Coinciding with Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October), Unum has launched a new Sharepoint page that offers resources such as links to baby […]
Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust has introduced paid leave for employees who experience pregnancy loss and the premature arrival of new babies. Employees who experience a miscarriage before the 24th week are now entitled to two weeks of paid leave, while a partner can take to up to five days of paid leave. The trust’s […]
West Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland has introduced a pregnancy loss scheme, in order to offer any affected employees compassionate support. The initiative, which was agreed by members of the council’s Corporate Services Committee, aims to provide guidance and a sympathetic response to staff who go through pregnancy loss. Employees and their partners who experience pregnancy […]
Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) is when many who are affected by the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or termination for medical reasons, come together in remembrance and support in both their personal and working lives. Employees who suffer from a miscarriage before 24 weeks do not legally qualify for […]
Discovery Communications has launched a new pregnancy and baby loss policy to support its UK employees and to mark this year’s Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October). According to the organisation, which employs 1,200 people, the initiative acknowledges that baby and pregnancy loss must be met with a compassionate response in order to make sure […]
Line managers should have additional training to help someone in their team who might be experiencing a fertility challenge or a pregnancy loss. Offering paid leave for fertility treatment and pregnancy loss is a good start, but employers should also make sure their policies include flexible working, support groups and counselling. Whatever initiatives are introduced, […]
Communications agency Talker Tailor Trouble Maker has introduced paid leave policies for all staff in the event of a pregnancy loss, miscarriage or abortion, allowing either partner to take a minimum of two weeks of paid leave at any stage of the pregnancy. According to the agency, 10 days of paid leave will be available […]
Supermarket retailer Co-op has launched a dedicated policy to support its employees through a pregnancy loss. The policy is part of Co-op’s drive to create an inclusive workplace and deliver a fairer world for its 63,000 staff. It includes miscarriage, stillbirth, embryo transfer loss, molar pregnancy and pregnancy termination, and supports both parents who have […]
Law firm Kingsley Napley has formalised a policy that offers paid time off work to all staff affected by pregnancy loss. All employees and partners who lose a baby by miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy or neonatal loss will receive 10 days’ paid leave without having to certify their absence, the organisation announced […]