Lord Mayor of Cork launches pregnancy loss guide for workplaces

New resources to help create more compassionate workplaces for people who experience pregnancy loss have been launched by the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy.

At a recent event in City Hall, a toolkit for employers and employees and a book that shines a light on the experiences of pregnancy loss at work, both developed by the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at University College Cork (UCC), were launched.

Mr Dennehy said: “As we mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, a week focusing on bringing us together as a community, the Places project provides workplaces with practical resources and guidance to implement a supportive, caring environment for those who have experiences a pregnancy loss.”

Supports

Prof Keelin O’Donoghue, a consultant obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) and lead of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG) said the group knows from the project that there is a significant gap between the needs of individuals who experience pregnancy loss under 24 weeks gestation and the supports available to them in workplaces.

“This impacts on their wellbeing, their physical and emotional recovery from pregnancy loss, and their return to work,” she told event attendees.

“Many people return to work shortly after pregnancy loss, while still experiencing physical and/or emotional difficulties. Managing the impact of the loss, workloads, and social interactions can be particularly difficult.

“Many do not to disclose their pregnancy loss, take time off work or seek support due to stigma and fears of dismissal from work, or discrimination regarding career progression.

“There is a need for dedicated leave from work, and workplace policies and supports to better support people who experience pregnancy loss.”

Researcher 

Dr Tommy Harty and Dr Caoimhe Ní hÉalaithe, doctors in specialist training in obstetrics and gynaecology, currently based at CUMH, co-led the development of the (PLRG) Pregnancy Loss and the Workplace Toolkit for Employers and Employees with Prof O’Donoghue and Marita Hennessy, a researcher within the group.

Dr Harty said: “While the toolkit focuses mainly on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 23 weeks gestation, much of what is discussed — particularly the different ways that employees and workers can be supported beyond leave entitlements — is relevant to those experiencing pregnancy loss at any time in pregnancy.

“In developing and sharing this resource, we want to create more compassionate work environments and better experiences for people whose pregnancies end in loss. Our hope is that workplaces around Ireland now endorse and use this toolkit.”

Copies of Pregnancy Loss and the Workplace: A Toolkit for Employers and Employees and Words at Work: Experiences of pregnancy loss in the workplace {up to 23 weeks} are available on the PLRG website.