One in four pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth in the UK, according to research by Tommys.
Despite impacting so many of us on such a deep level, the existing stigma can make it difficult for people to access the support they need, especially at work.
A supportive and understanding workplace when it matters most often results in long-lasting trust and loyalty. When this is lacking, employees become disengaged, their wellbeing is impacted and they are likely to leave.
Managers trained in navigating sensitive conversations about pregnancy and baby loss is one way to make employees feel supported and more likely to stay.
“If a company like mine can get it so wrong, I would guess that most other companies are in a similar boat. My experience has me questioning why I continue to work for them, and I’m at high risk of leaving”.
Mother of a stillborn baby at a very large international company. She has since left the company.
Starting or growing a family is one of the most common major life events and impacts a significant part of a workforce. However, we know that there is still prejudice surrounding pregnancy and parenting in the workplace, which ultimately points back to the need for better awareness and understanding across all business functions.
Putting your employees first and supporting them is the right thing to do, but there are wider business benefits too. When employees feel supported and seen, productivity increases, retention improves, new and diverse talent is drawn towards your business because of your positive reputation for creating an inclusive culture.
Tommy’s Pregnancy and Parenting at Work e-training programme was created to give line managers the skills, knowledge and confidence to navigate sensitive conversations around pregnancy and baby loss.
To find out more visit the Tommy's website or contact PregnancyAtWork@tommys.org.
* Workingmums annual survey, 2016: sample size 2,254, 98% female (standfirst summary)