Sands is urging employers to boost support for staff impacted by pregnancy and baby loss.
The charity made the call to coincide with Baby Loss Awareness Week, which this year runs from today (9 October) to 15 October.
Led by Sands, the week is backed by more than 130 charities. Together they commissioned a YouGov survey which found half (50%) of adults in the UK had personally experienced, or knew someone who had experienced, at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss.
Among those polled, two in five (40%) said they did not know anyone who had experienced pregnancy or baby loss, while 10% either preferred not to answer or did not know.
Miscarriage was the most mentioned form of loss, cited by two in five (40%) respondents, followed by stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy, noted by 13% and 12% respectively. These were followed by termination for medical reasons (6%), neonatal death (5%), and molar pregnancy (2%).
The charity, which works to save the lives of babies and support those affected by baby loss, is now offering free Bereavement in the Workplace training to all small and medium-sized UK-based organisations and is encouraging employers to sign up.
Clare Worgan, head of education and training at Sands, said: “We know that pregnancy and baby loss is something that impacts a huge number of people across the UK. We also know that when a bereaved parent returns to work, having a supportive workplace can make such a difference to their wellbeing. That’s why this Baby Loss Awareness Week we’re encouraging business leaders to take up our free training and help create a network of organisations with employee wellbeing at their heart.
“Since the start of the year, over 38,000 employees have been trained to help bring better wellbeing and bereavement support to their workplace. Our training is designed for all, and the programme covers key areas including legal rights and obligations, using sensitive and appropriate language, guidance on policies and best practice, and awareness of cultural competencies. This training is particularly relevant to those who are not bereaved but may be impacted by a colleague who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss.”
