Commercial motor insurance provider Zego has introduced paid leave for employees who experience a pregnancy loss.
The company’s policy, which covers both miscarriage and abortion, is open to staff who have suffered the loss, as well as partners and surrogate mothers. It provides two weeks' paid leave to ensure that individuals feel ready to return to work. Additional paid leave for any subsequent medical care appointments is also included.
According to Zego, the introduction of the policy is another step in its development of a “highly diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment” because it is of "paramount importance" that all of its employees are supported if they face tragedy or adversity of this kind.
The organisation already offers six months full pay for maternity leave for employees with one year’s service, six weeks' leave at full pay for new fathers and same sex partners, and free coaching and therapy sessions for all employees throughout the year.
Kingsley Macy, chief people officer at Zego, explained that the company wants to look after its employees in any way it can, and seeks to continuously push for progress with its policies and benefits.
He said: “When someone suffers such a loss, we believe they should not have to take sick days or unpaid leave to properly grieve and recover both physically and emotionally. We want to do what we can to support any staff members who find themselves in this situation.”
Zego introduced its paid leave for pregnancy loss policy a few weeks ago, and has been working closely with its employees behind the scenes to ensure that they are up to speed on the offered policies, according to Macy.
He added: "We also, more widely speaking, want to ensure Zego remains a highly diverse and supportive place to work, especially as we continue to grow.”
Zego's CEO Sten Saar said the company believes that anyone who suffers such a loss should be able to grieve while not having to take the time off as unpaid leave, or have to worry about their finances on top of such trauma.
