JPIMedia, in conjunction with the Miscarriage Association, has also committed to being an employer which supports the pregnancy loss pledge.
Any employee who experiences pregnancy loss, or is the partner of someone who experiences pregnancy loss, will now be eligible to a period of paid leave to support them in recovering from the physical and emotional consequences of their loss, says JPIMedia.
At present, there is no statutory entitlement to paid leave for people who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy. From 24 weeks, when the loss of a baby is legally a stillbirth or neonatal death, mothers are entitled to full maternity leave and both parents are entitled to two weeks of paid Parental Bereavement Leave.
A survey by the Miscarriage Association showed almost half of respondents felt they had to return to work before they were ready, with many not knowing or not being told about their right to pregnancy-related leave.
Pregnancy loss can be a devastating experience whether it happens to you or your partner.
Laura Collins
Laura Collins, Editor of the Yorkshire Evening Post said: “Pregnancy loss can be a devastating experience whether it happens to you or your partner. We know that sadly it’s more common than people may think and that the challenges at work are often misunderstood. We want to help raise awareness and encourage businesses to take the pregnancy loss pledge so those affected can take the time off they need.”
Claire Jackson, Head of HR at JPIMedia said: “We know that there will be colleagues in the business who have been affected by this issue and, sadly, more who will experience loss in the future and so today marks our commitment to giving those affected as much support as possible. We believe that pregnancy loss, whenever or however it happens, is a bereavement and that providing support to staff members at such a devastating time is crucial.”
Vicki Robinson, Deputy Director of the Miscarriage Association, said: “We’re delighted that the Yorkshire Evening Post and its parent company JPI Media have taken the Pregnancy Loss Pledge, committing to support their employees through an often extremely difficult and distressing time.
“It is great to see that the YEP is also encouraging businesses across the region to follow in its footsteps and join the growing number of companies and organisations offering empathetic and compassionate support for their staff experiencing pregnancy loss.
“There are often feelings of guilt and shame around miscarriage and, as a society, not speaking about it, can compound those. Breaking the silence around pregnancy loss helps people to understand they are not alone and helps to validate their feelings of grief and loss. We very much welcome the YEP encouraging those conversations.”
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