Organic grocery retailer Abel & Cole has announced it will be offering all members of staff two weeks of paid leave if they, or their partner, suffer a pregnancy loss.
The paid leave policy will also be available to employees in the event of miscarriage, abortion and ectopic or molar pregnancies.
According to Abel & Cole, the initiative was introduced in order to support all those who are impacted by a pregnancy loss – whether it happens to them, their partner, or to their surrogate – because the feelings of loss and bereavement following such as experience can often be underestimated.
The support offered is just one of many steps the retailer is taking to continually improve its culture and community from a mental and physical health and disability perspective. It hopes that policies like this will help everyone to feel equal and valued, to be their whole selves, and know that they will be supported.
The retailer said the implementation of the initiative is mirrored in its commitment to its people and society as a whole.
Jeanette Wong, Abel & Cole’s finance director and member of the Equality & Inclusivity team, said: “At Abel & Cole we recognise that a pregnancy loss is an extremely traumatic event. It’s important to us that our colleagues have time to grieve and physically and mentally heal. We are committing to give all employees affected by a pregnancy loss two weeks’ paid leave if they need it.”