The rights of teachers and support staff who experience a pregnancy loss or baby loss - to privacy and dignity at work, safe and fair working arrangements, and appropriate time off work - are frequently disregarded. Many staff in schools and colleges who experience an ectopic or molar pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or the neonatal death of their baby, are subjected to humiliating and unlawful treatment at work.
Good employers show awareness, compassion and support for grieving parents. All schools and colleges should be prepared for the risk of a pregnancy loss and should adopt expansive workplace policies on baby loss and return to work arrangements. They should not be punishing teachers and support staff for taking time to recover from a loss.
Overview
Our pregnancy loss and termination resources are intended to equip teachers, support staff, reps, leaders and employers with information and strategies for improving conditions for working women and parents in the distressing circumstances of ectopic or molar pregnancy, miscarriage, termination / abortion, stillbirth, neonatal death or maternal ill-health.
These distinct resources supplement our general guidance on maternity rights and signpost to external specialist maternal health and baby loss support and advice services. You might find some of the topics in this set of resources challenging to read about, particularly if you have had a similar experience. We urge you to call on trusted colleagues, sympathetic NEU members, friends, and family to build a network of support around you.
