Miscarriages and the Workplace

Miscarriages are common, with approximately 1 in 5 pregnancies resulting in miscarriage. Despite its frequency, it doesn’t make the emotional impact of it less heartbreaking. A lack of support from employers can negatively impact an employee's mental and physical wellbeing and reduce productivity.

What is a miscarriage?

A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss that occurs in the first 23 weeks of pregnancy. It is not always possible to know why a miscarriage happens. Many things can contribute to a miscarriage, like age, pregnancy history, medical conditions and lifestyle factors.

What is the difference between a miscarriage and a stillbirth?

Pregnancy loss between 12 and 24 weeks is referred to as a late miscarriage rather than a stillbirth, even if the woman gives birth to the baby.

This is because, after 24 weeks, the legal viewpoint is that the baby may have had a chance of survival, so the loss is referred to as a stillbirth.

Your workplace rights after a stillbirth are very different from your rights after a miscarriage.

What to do if a miscarriage happens in the workplace?

Experiencing a miscarriage in the workplace is likely to be a traumatic, upsetting and potentially embarrassing experience. The employee might pretend that they feel fine because they feel unable to discuss what has happened freely.

Employers legally only need to be informed about the pregnancy 15 weeks before the baby is due.

The individual may experience heavy bleeding, pains and cramps and, in some cases, especially with an ectopic pregnancy, may cause the individual to feel faint while miscarrying.

The employee may wish for you to call their partner or a family member to help them. The individual experiencing the miscarriage should seek medical assistance. However, they may not be able to transport themselves to the hospital or their GP.

If the employee is the partner of the individual experiencing the miscarriage. It is important to allow them to leave work immediately to assist their partner and to be involved as much as possible.

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When can employees go back to work after a miscarriage?

When an employee decides to return to work after a miscarriage, it will vary for each individual. As an employer, it is vital that employees are not treated unfairly after a period of leave.

Informing the employer will make them aware of a loss and potentially be more understanding and compassionate. Particularly if the employee is struggling to return to work. This is important in the short-term and longer-term, as those suffering a miscarriage may find that grief comes in waves and it may be triggered by a colleague bringing their new baby into work, or someone announcing their pregnancy.

Some women choose to return to work after a few days; others might need longer. To help employees process what has happened, it can be useful to inform them of the miscarriage policy at the company. Making reasonable adjustments, such as reduced hours or phased return to work, can...