PLACES
What was the PLACES project about?
PLACES | Pregnancy Loss in Workplaces: Informing policymakers on support mechanisms
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned this project to examine the workplace experiences of people coping with pregnancy loss. Informed by international best practice, the project put forward recommendations for formal or informal support mechanisms that could be introduced in the workplace to better support working people experiencing pregnancy loss. Support mechanisms may include the provision of leave, flexible working arrangements, or other workplace policies. These recommendations, in turn, will help to inform Government policy, including the development of legislation if required.
The project primarily focused on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation (termed a stillbirth, which includes babies born weighing ≥500g and who show no signs of life) can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements.
What was involved?
- PHASE 1: Scoping study. Literature review and comparative analysis of international models with expert/key informant input
- PHASE 2: Qualitative/quantitative research. Survey and in-depth interviews to capture the workplace experiences of employees who have experienced pregnancy loss
- PHASE 3: Final output. Plain English report that presents findings and gives recommendations for next steps.
Who was involved?
Project team
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Keelin O'Donoghue | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | PI |
| Marita Hennessy PhD | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | Project Manager; Collaborator |
| Ruadh Kelly-Harrington | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | Research Assistant |
| Dr Sara Leitao | National Perinatal Eppidemiology Centre; Pregnancy Loss Research Group | Collaborator |
| Dr Daniel Nuzum | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | Collaborator |
| Dr Caroline Dalton-O'Connor | Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC | Collaborator |
| Professor Mary Donnelly | School of Law, UCC | Collaborator |
| Dr Claire Murray | School of Law, UCC | Collaborator |
| Dr Maeve O'Sullivan | J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway | Collaborator |
Dissemination activities
Report
- Kelly-Harrington R, Hennessy M, Leitao S, Donnelly M, Murray C, O’Sullivan M, Dalton-O’Connor C, Nuzum D, O’Donoghue K. PLACES | Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces: Informing policymakers on support mechanisms. Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; 2024.
Journal articles
- Kelly-Harrington R, Murray C, Hennessy M, Leitao S, O’Sullivan M, Dalton-O’Connor C, Nuzum D, O’Donoghue K, Donnelly M. Statutory leave for early pregnancy loss: A comparative study. European Labour Law Journal. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/20319525241263177.
Policy brief
- Kelly-Harrington R, Hennessy M, Leitao S, Donnelly M, Murray C, O’Sullivan M, Dalton-O’Connor C, Nuzum D, O’Donoghue K. Pregnancy loss (<24 weeks) in workplaces: Informing policymakers on support mechanisms. PLRG Policy Brief 14. 2024; Sept 15.
Outreach events
- Kelly-Harrington R, O'Donoghue K. Supporting texters experiencing pregnancy loss. Online training webinar to staff and volunteers who provide text-based crisis support at Text About It, 28 May 2024.
Press releases
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group. (2023, March 06) New research examining the workplace experiences of women and their partners who have had a pregnancy loss under 24 weeks’ of pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group. (2023, November 30) PLACES Team presents findings on workplace experiences of pregnancy loss to members of the Oireachtas.
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. (2024, January 26) Minister O’Gorman publishes report on pregnancy loss in the workplace.
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group. (2024, February 13) Report recommends statutory right to paid leave for pregnancy loss under 24 weeks.
Radio interviews
- O'Donoghue K. "Miscarriage bereavement leave - 'They're not ill, they're grieving'". Lunchtime Live, interviewed by Andrea Gilligan. Newstalk, 17 August 2023. https://www.newstalk.com/news/miscarriage-bereavement-leave-theyre-not-ill-theyre-grieving-1497759.
Podcasts
- Geary, David, host. “Fighting for reproductive health leave.” Teacher Talk, INTO, 11 June 2024. https://shows.acast.com/teacher-talk/episodes/fighting-for-reproductive-health-leave.
- Pleace, Kate, host. “Kate Pleace and Marita Hennessy.” Gynae Listen and Learn, DCU, 09 May 2024. https://youtu.be/loo3X4pIeVw?si=7vYmjSRqC7oW9306.
Newspaper/Magazine articles
- Pepper D. (2024, January 26) Government report recommends right to paid leave for pregnancy loss under 24 weeks. The Journal. https://www.thejournal.ie/pregnancy-loss-government-commissioned-report-statutory-right-to-paid-leave-6282551-Jan2024/.
- Loughlin E. (2024, January 26) 'Deeply disappointing' that Government chose to 'bury' miscarriage leave report. Irish Examiner. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41318311.html.
- O’Connor, K. (2024, January 30) Calls to grant paid leave to people who lose babies before 24 weeks. Her. https://her.ie/health/paid-leave-before-24-weeks-598963.
- Editorial Staff. (2024, February 13) Report calls for statutory right to paid leave after early pregnancy loss. Irish Medical Times. https://www.imt.ie/news/report-calls-for-statutory-right-to-paid-leave-after-early-pregnancy-loss-13-02-2024/.
- Hennessy M, O’Donoghue K, on behalf of the PLACES Team. Report recommends statutory right to paid leave for pregnancy loss under 24 weeks. InTouch. March/April 2024; 218:22. https://intouch.into.ie/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=b5e9d7cd-6832-4cbd-8c50-96ba8cc9ab12
Project status
Completed: September 2022 to December 2023
Further information
Please email:
- Marita Hennessy PhD: maritahennessy@ucc.ie
- Ruadh Kelly-Harrington: rkelly-harrington@ucc.ie
Funders
PLACES was funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.