Pregnancy Loss Policy

Channel 4 launched its first ever dedicated pregnancy loss policy in April 2021, designed to support employees through pregnancy loss – which includes, but is not limited to, miscarriage, stillbirth and abortion.

The policy – believed to be the world’s first – will support both women and men who have been affected: whether it happens directly to them, their partner or their baby’s surrogate mother, regardless of the nature of their loss, and whatever their length of service. It also recognises pregnancy loss as an experience not isolated to women or heterosexual couples.

Channel 4 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. 

Channel 4 is aiming to end the stigma around women’s health issues by helping to normalise taboo subjects and make them more visible. It follows the launch of the channel’s Menopause Policy in 2019 which inspired similar action in workplaces across the world.

Like the menopause policy, we are also publicly publishing this policy today with the aim of making it even easier for other organisations to take it and make their own. 

Download the policy here.

If you would like to receive future policy updates or if you’d like to find out more about our work, email 4WomensNetwork@channel4.co.uk

4Women
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 whilst 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.
Alex Mahon, Chief Executive