Miscarriage – The Last Workplace Taboo?

It is estimated that as many as one in four pregnancies in the UK end in miscarriage, mostly during the first three months of pregnancy. It has a devastating emotional and psychological impact on women and their partners. For those grieving the loss of a baby, often the support and understanding of their employer can make a significant difference to their experience. However, for too long women have faced stigma in the workplace following the loss of a baby.

The law provides a distinction between miscarriage and stillbirth, the consequences of which have significant implications for the legal entitlements of employees who experience pregnancy loss. A stillbirth is when a baby is not born alive on or after 24 complete weeks of pregnancy. If the baby dies before 24 weeks, it is classified as a miscarriage.