Channel 4 implements ‘world first’ pregnancy loss policy for both male and female employees

Channel 4 has announced its ‘world first’ pregnancy loss policy for its male and female staff – offering support and time off for any kind of loss. 

The new policy, believed by the team to be the first of its kind ever, aims to allow men and women to grieve the loss of a child. 

Inclusive of miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion, the policy also aims to help anyone who is greiving – regardless of the nature of the loss, or whether it happened to them directly, to their partner or to their baby’s surrogate. 

In the statement released on LinkedIn, the team at Channel 4 added the policy ‘also recognises pregnancy loss as an experience not isolated to women or heterosexual couples’.

‘C4 consulted several leading charities on the policy which includes: two weeks leave on full-pay; paid leave for medical appointments; flexible working; an array of resources including medical support, counselling, and a buddying scheme to support employees returning to work after a loss,’ they stated in the outline. 

‘The policy has also been devised for line managers and colleagues of staff directly affected who wish to provide appropriate practical and emotional support to those affected.’ 

According to The Miscarriage Association, one in four pregnancies end in a miscarriage, while one in every 200 births in the UK are classified as stillborn, and one in three women have an abortion at some point in their lifetime. 

Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, said: ‘At Channel 4 we recognise that the loss of a pregnancy, no matter the circumstances, can be a form of grief that can have a lasting emotional and physical impact on the lives of many women and their partners.

‘Our dedicated policy by 4Women will help confront a subject that remains taboo while providing Channel 4’s employees with vital tools and support. 

‘We hope that by giving away this pioneering policy we’re able to encourage other organisations to do the same.’ 

Channel 4’s groundbreaking new policy comes after New Zealand passed a bill allowing three days bereavement leave after a miscarriage or stillbirth sparked a new call for something similar in the UK. 

Currently in the UK, you or your partner are not entitled to any leave if you were to have a stillbirth or miscarriage. 

You can only take sick leave, as long as your GP signs you off, and it’s marked and protected as a ‘pregnancy related illness’ so it doesn’t count towards your sickness record. 

India was the first country to implement bereavement leave for miscarriages, allowing up to six weeks leave. This bill was passed in 1961.

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