Retailer Co-op has enhanced its pregnancy loss policy by doubling its paid bereavement leave from five to 10 days as part of its commitment to support staff through pregnancy loss, bereavement and grief.
First launched in 2021, its policy recognises pregnancy loss as a bereavement and provides compassionate, practical help to those affected. It applies to all staff regardless of service length, contracted hours, and the stage or circumstances of the loss. It supports both parents, partners and intended parents via surrogacy.
The policy includes additional flexibility according to individual circumstances, paid time off for medical appointments, and access to counselling and mental wellbeing support through Co-op’s employee wellbeing services.
It also includes signposting to specialist charities, support for managers with guidance to enable sensitive, timely conversations and practical help, and emergency leave where a family member experiences pregnancy loss.
The policy was developed with the Miscarriage Association according to feedback from employees, who wanted dedicated, flexible support and time to grieve. It sits alongside Co-op’s commitments to bereaved parents, including four weeks’ fully paid leave for employees who lose a child under the age of 18 years.
This follows a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons, organised by the Miscarriage Association, sponsored by Co-op and hosted by Sarah Owen MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee. It marked the success of the campaign to introduce statutory bereavement leave for pregnancy loss through the Employment Rights Bill.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, group chief executive officer at Co-op, said: “Losing a baby at any stage is devastating, and no one should have to navigate that heartbreak without support. By doubling paid leave for pregnancy loss, we’re giving our employees the time and space they need, without added financial or work pressures. This is about compassion, fairness and breaking the silence around pregnancy loss.”
Vicki Robinson, chief executive at Miscarriage Association, added: “We’re delighted to see Co-op continue to lead the way in supporting employees through pregnancy loss. Doubling paid leave shows real compassion and sets an important example. Co-op has been a strong supporter of our Leave for Every Loss campaign, and this reinforces its commitment to treating pregnancy loss as the bereavement it is.”
