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Workplace supports for pregnancy loss: Time to act

10 Oct 2024

On the second day of Baby Loss Awareness Week, the Pregnancy Loss Research Group is launching a policy brief to support advocacy efforts around the introduction of workplace supports for people who experience pregnancy loss under 24 weeks. This summarises findings from the PLACES (Pregnancy Loss in Workplaces: Informing policymakers on support mechanisms) project, which was conducted by researchers at University College Cork and the University of Galway.

The PLACES report – commissioned by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and launched earlier this year – recommended that a statutory right to paid leave should be introduced for pre-viability pregnancy loss, regardless of the gestational stage or the reason for the loss. This would allow for a period of recovery and show societal recognition of the impact of pre-viability pregnancy loss. A further eight recommendations for Government to consider in developing workplace supports for people who experience pregnancy loss under 24 weeks were also proposed. They include:

  1. Any leave introduced should be of sufficient duration to meet the needs of those affected.
  2. A statutory right to paid leave for pregnancy loss should also be introduced for partners.
  3. If statutory paid pregnancy loss leave is introduced, it should be added to the list of family/care-related leaves which are covered by the Unfair Dismissals Act.
  4. Given the individuality of each person’s experience of pregnancy loss, patient and public involvement in the development of policies and practices which promote positive workplace cultures and environments is recommended.
  5. The implementation of leave entitlements should be carefully considered by workplaces.
  6. Additional supports and accommodations should be made available to workers experiencing pregnancy loss. Workplaces should create clear policies and practices.
  7. Information about leave and support entitlements for pre viability pregnancy loss needs to be clear, publicly available and accessible.
  8. Political leadership is needed to drive changes in public awareness and perceptions surrounding pregnancy loss.

Despite acknowledgement of the importance of the work and the need to consider the report’s findings, Government postponed discussion of the Reproductive Health Related Leave Bill 2021 for 12 months, until January 2025. Further advocacy is needed to get this issue back on political agendas.

 

More information

The PLACES research team surveyed almost 1,000 people and interviewed 13 people who had experienced a pregnancy loss under 24 weeks. The report also drew on a review of international literature, statutory leave provisions for pregnancy loss, and pregnancy loss policies across a sample of companies in the Republic of Ireland.

To date, members of the PLACES Team have presented their work to members of the Oireachtas and at a range of national and international conferences, including Gender Work and Organization 2024, Psychology Health and Medicine 2024 and SPHeRE 2024. Marita Hennessy PhD has also spoken about the project findings on the INTO ‘Teacher Talk’ Podcast and on the DCU Gynae Listen & Learn Podcast with Kate Pleace. She will also discuss how workers who experience pregnancy loss can be better supported at Ireland South Women and Infants Directorate Grand Rounds on Friday 11 October. 

The PLACES Research Team includes: Professor Keelin O’Donoghue (Pregnancy Loss Research Group-PLRG, INFANT), Ruadh Kelly-Harrington (PLRG, INFANT), Marita Hennesy PhD (PLRG, INFANT), Dr Sara Leitao (National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre; PLRG), Dr Daniel Nuzum (PLRG), Dr Caroline Dalton-O'Connor (School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC), Professor Mary Donnelly (School of Law, UCC), Dr Claire Murray (School of Law, UCC) and Dr Maeve O'Sullivan (JE Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway). 

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,

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