UCC Pregnancy Loss Support Policy Launch - First of its kind

10 Oct 2025

The first Pregnancy Loss Support Policy for staff in an Irish university was launched on Friday 10 October by University College Cork (UCC), marking a significant step forward in workplace wellbeing and inclusion.

The policy aims to provide employees with dedicated leave, resources and support they need following a pregnancy loss under 23 weeks. It outlines the entitlements, procedures and support mechanisms in place to assist both staff who are affected by pregnancy loss, and their partners. Staff are now entitled to ten leave days per 12 month calendar year should they experience pregnancy loss.

The policy was jointly developed by the Pregnancy Loss Research Group led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, UCC People and Culture and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit and informed by the findings of the PLACES project report (2024) which was funded by the Department of Children, Equality and Disability.