Mills & Reeve commits to upholding the Miscarriage Association’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge

Pregnancy loss can be one of the most painful experiences in life for any family and with an estimated one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriages, it is something employers must offer support on. 

At Mills & Reeve we try and support inclusion and wellbeing in any way we can, and the Pregnancy Loss Pledge will assist in outlining our commitment to:

• Encourage a supportive working environment where people feel able to disclose pregnancy and/or loss without fear of being disadvantaged or discriminated against
• Understand and implement the rules around pregnancy-related leave, ensuring staff feel able to take the time off they need
• Show empathy and understanding towards people and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss
• Implement a pregnancy loss policy or guidance, or ensure it is included in sickness, bereavement or other workplace policies – being mindful of the needs of partners, too
• Encourage line managers to access in-house or external guidance on how to support someone experiencing pregnancy loss
• Support people back to work by being responsive to their needs and showing flexibility wherever possible

Alongside our commitment to the Pregnancy Loss Pledge, and to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021, Mills & Reeve launched the firm’s first pregnancy loss policy which, among other things, allows people directly experiencing pregnancy loss and their partners to take paid time off to recover. In addition, a suite of resources has been made available to line managers and colleagues on how to support someone experiencing pregnancy loss.

Mills & Reeve’s diversity, inclusion and wellbeing manager Ainslie Wilson-Shearer said: “Pregnancy loss is often seen as a taboo subject, but it affects far more people than we realise. Signing the Pledge and providing support, empathy and understanding to our colleagues experiencing pregnancy loss isn’t just the right thing to do, it contributes to making Mills & Reeve a great and inclusive place to work and supports our people’s wellbeing. We’re so glad the Miscarriage Association has created this standard, and we encourage other employers to sign up. We are committed to providing support and understanding to all staff. Always”.

For more information on the Pledge, or if you would be interested to explore how your organisation can assist with supporting those experiencing pregnancy loss, you can find a link to the pledge here.