Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley is encouraging businesses and workplaces to sign up to the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge.

By taking the pledge, employers are committing to introducing pregnancy-related leave, creating a supportive work environment and to have a policy or guidance in place.

The pledge sets a new pregnancy loss standard to ensure that employees going through what can be a very difficult or traumatic time get the support and time off they need.

A number of businesses including the Co-op, The Future Forest Company and Newcastle University have already taken the pledge.

Agreeing to the pledge means that employers will:

• Encourage a supportive work environment where people feel able to discuss and disclose pregnancy and/or loss without fear of being disadvantaged or discriminated against
• Understand and implement the rules around pregnancy-related leave, ensuring staff feel able to take the time off they need 
• Show empathy and understanding towards people and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss
• Implement a pregnancy loss policy or guidance, or ensure it is included in sickness, bereavement or other workplace policies – being mindful of the needs of partners, too
• Encourage line managers to access in-house or external guidance (such as that available on the MA website) on how to support someone experiencing pregnancy loss
• Support people back to work by being responsive to their needs and showing flexibility wherever possible

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“This is an important campaign by the Miscarriage Association and I would urge all businesses and organisations to take the Pregnancy Loss Pledge.

“Having a policy in place for pregnancy loss helps to foster an environment where people are able to take the time they need to grieve if they experience such a loss.

“It is also an important step to breaking the stigma associated with miscarriage and shows that employers are empathetic and understanding of their employee’s situation.

“Some companies have already gone further than their statutory obligation and I hope many more employers will replicate that.”

For further information on the Pregnancy Loss Pledge, visit https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/information/miscarriage-and-the-workplace/the-pregnancy-loss-pledge/