Fórsa is supporting research examining the workplace experiences of people and their partners who have experienced early pregnancy loss, and is encouraging members to take part in a survey to assist with this.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has commissioned the PLACES (Pregnancy Loss in Workplaces) project to establish whether policy interventions are required in the workplace to better support people following early pregnancy loss under 24 weeks’ gestation. Led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, researchers from the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at Cork University Maternity Hospital and University College Cork and University of Galway are examining workplace experiences of people who have had a pregnancy loss.
As part of this project, the research team would like to hear from people and their partners experienced a pregnancy loss, whilst in paid employment, in the last five years. (A pregnancy loss can include ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or miscarriage, before 24 weeks’ gestation.) You can take part in the survey here.
Fórsa has previously called for the introduction of a reproductive health leave scheme to support members managing early pregnancy loss, fertility treatments and other reproductive health related matters, after delegates at Fórsa’s national conference unanimously backed a motion in support of reproductive health leave last May.
Fórsa national secretary and equality officer Ashley Connolly said that for far too long, both women and men have had to remain silent in their workplaces about the grief of pregnancy loss or reproductive health matters.
“We know our members are using sick leave and annual leave to try to manage reproductive health issues, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety. This is a workplace issue, we should afford empathy and dignity to those going through this experience, supporting workers when they need it the most,” she said.
To date, the PLACES Project has reviewed international legislation to see what laws other countries have around leave from work following pregnancy loss and have reached out to some companies in Ireland to find out about their policies regarding pregnancy loss. To add to their knowledge and understanding of what kind of leave or other supports are needed, they are participants to share their workplace experiences of pregnancy loss.
National secretary Linda Kelly the research provided a great starting point to have conversations around workplace supports.
“This is a workplace issue and we must afford empathy and dignity to those going through this experience and ensuring accommodation is made for workers at this time,” she said.
Fórsa’s Róisín McKane acknowledged the difficulty and sensitivity of navigating early pregnancy loss in the workplace.
“Eary pregnancy loss is a hugely sensitive and difficult matter that many navigate in silence. We trust that this research will highlight early pregnancy loss as a workplace issue,” she said.
Ashley called on members to take part in this vital research.
“It is crucially important for employers to support workers when they need the most. This survey will help shape these supports and change how we think about reproductive healthcare in Ireland,” she said.
More information on the study can be found here.
For support around pregnancy loss please visit:
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