On 26 April, Channel 4, the UK free-to-air public-service television network unveiled its new ‘Pregnancy Loss Policy’ that provides for least two weeks of paid leave for all cases of loss during pregnancy, including miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, as well as death at birth or in the first 28 days following birth. This landmark provision augments the broadcaster’s global HR policy to support women and lift the lid on traditionally taboo subjects.
Channel 4, which employs roughly 900, is hailing what it believes is the ‘world’s first’ company policy of this sort. With it, the broadcaster is pioneering a minimum of 2 weeks paid leave of absence in the case of loss of pregnancy, including miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy as well as death at birth or in the first 28 days following birth. This leave will be available from the first day of employment, applies to both women and men, and so can be taken by both those females directly experiencing pregnancy loss and partners, and people having had recourse to surrogacy.
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