The Co-op has announced it will offer staff who have experienced pregnancy loss paid leave and time off for medical appointments.
In an effort to support its employees, the convenience store retailer announced its new dedicated pregnancy loss policy which aims to help its staff through grief and bereavement of the loss whether it be through stillbirth, miscarriage, embryo transfer loss, molar pregnancy or termination of pregnancy.
The policy has been launched to support both parents being affected, whether it happens directly to them, their partner or their baby’s surrogate mother.
READ MORE: John Lewis Partnership launches raft of family-friendly policies
The Co-op also announced its managers have been equipped with a guide to provide appropriate and emotional support to those suffering through loss.
Access to GP support available to colleagues and their families 24 hours a day has also been provided by the retailer through its Smart Health virtual service, providing psychologist-led mental health support, complex case support, second medical opinions and proactive health guidance.
The news comes as the John Lewis Partnership announced a raft of new family-friendly commitments, in a bid to improve inclusion, including equal parenthood paid leave for any of its employees.
The parent company of Waitrose also confirmed it will offer any staff members two weeks paid leave if they experience the loss of a pregnancy.