Buy-to-let lender Landbay has introduced a miscarriage leave policy.
The mortgage provider, which employs 125 people, said it took staff wellbeing “very seriously” and believed it was the first firm to allow women to take up to six weeks of fully paid leave if they lose a baby during pregnancy.
Length of leave is according to stage of pregnancy, with women able to take two weeks of leave if a loss is experienced in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when most miscarriages happen.
If the loss is between weeks 12 and 20, time off rises to four weeks before stepping up to six weeks beyond this point. After 24 full weeks, the medical classification is a stillborn and women are legally entitled to full maternity leave.
It is not just pregnant employees who can benefit from Landbay’s policy. Partners can take two weeks of leave to support their loved one in the event of a miscarriage, and if the loss occurs after 24 weeks, they can take up to four weeks.
In addition to this, Landbay offers a range of wellbeing aids such as mental health support through an employee assistance programme, while also deploying multiple mental health first aiders across the business.
Naomi Braisby, human resources director at Landbay, explained that the business hopes that being able to take up to six weeks off without any questions asked will create one less burden for women during a traumatic time.
“Imperial College London estimates there are 250,000 miscarriages in the UK every year and one in six women suffer from long-term stress as a result,” she said.
“I want to ensure we are doing the best for our staff, to let them know they are supported, and take away the stress of uncertainty or potentially distressing conversations in the workplace.”
Landbay was co-founded by chief executive John Goodall in 2014.