[Fran]

This Friday at 12.30pm – I will be on hand to answer all of your questions on babyloss and pregnancy loss and how you can support your colleagues and employees who have experienced loss.
Please come along with your questions ready 🙂
speak soon,

Fran

[Fran]

Hi everyone! Welcome to today’s power hour where we will be talking all about how to support employees with baby loss and miscarriage.

Please pop your questions to me in here and I will provide feedback, advice and support.

Thanks,

Fran

[Fran]

We have a question that has been submitted.

Should we be offering counselling or mental health support if a member of staff reports a miscarriage?

[Fran]

Really good question.

Babyloss and miscarriage has a huge effect on people both physically and emotionally. It can also cause trauma and PTSD. So if you are able to support your employees with emotional wellbeing – through EAP’s or direct counselling then that would really help. Additionally, if there are support groups you can set up within the department/organisation then that can be beneficial too.

Hope that helps.

[Fran]

Another great question that has been submitted.

How can we talk sensitively when a member of staff has miscarried? I don’t want to say the wrong thing.

[Fran]

Another great question that has been submitted.

How can we talk sensitively when a member of staff has miscarried? I don’t want to say the wrong thing.

[Fran]

Use compassionate, non-judgmental language. You are not expected to know the medical terminology etc. also listening and asking if staff would like to talk about it really does help and they feel supported.

Acknowledge what has happened and let staff know that there is a space to discuss and take time if they need it.

Best thing to do is not to make assumptions – everyone deals with things differently so asking how people are and ensuring they know that they can talk and take time that they may need can really help.

[Fran]

Another question that was submitted.

Whats the best way to support someone back to work after miscarriage?

[Fran]

There are a number of things you can do that can support.

You should always think about a phased return – so that employees have time to make adjustments and prepare themselves.

Flexibility also helps – if you can offer remote or hybrid working then that can really support staff.

Highlight any support groups or networks that you have and share information on those.

Ask your employees how you can support them – everyone deals with things differently so asking what they need to support them back to work may provide ideas and information that you can add to processes and policies.

[Fran]

Another question that has been submitted:

If someone has had a miscarriage – is it likely to happen again and what can we do to support if it does happen again?

[Fran]

Having a miscarriage once doesn’t mean it will definitely happen again, though the risk is slightly higher after multiple losses. 3 miscarriages or more is known as recurrent miscarriage and affects around 1 in 100 people.
You can support your employees by offering paid leave, flexible work arrangements, hybrid or remote working, access to counselling, and open, non-judgmental communication. You can also put in place support groups and forums maybe and make sure your policies include all of this info.

[Fran]

The following may help when you are compiling polices and processes to support your employees who have experienced loss.

https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/miscarriage-information-and-support/miscarriage-support/miscarriage-rights-at-work

[Fran]

Thank you everyone for your questions – thats all we have time for today but please look out for our next power hour sessions planned.

Thanks,

Fran

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