Bonnier introduces trade's first pregnancy loss policy 'to break silence'

In what is thought to be a trade first, Bonnier Books UK has developed a dedicated pregnancy loss policy including paid leave to help “break the silence” around the issue, as others consider introducing similar support.

The company launched its specialised pregnancy loss policy, developed in consultation with charity Tommy’s, today (26th May). It entitles women and their partners paid time off and support while going through this type of loss, as well as ongoing collaboration with Tommy's to ensure appropriate support.

Bonnier is believed to be the first publisher with a specific policy in this area and follows Channel 4’s “world-first” policy announced last month. In March, New Zealand approved a law for couples who have a miscarriage or stillbirth to be eligible for paid bereavement leave, joining a small number of countries that have introduced the measure. In the UK, there is no statutory leave unless the loss has happened after 24 weeks.

Anna MacLaren May, Bonnier Books UK’s people director, told The Bookseller: “We know policies on their own, whilst a brilliant first step, are not enough to create the supportive environment needed to break the silence around pregnancy loss. We will be working with organisations such as Tommy’s to ensure that our people receive the practical and emotional support they need.”

The publisher has not put a cap on time off. “The experience of pregnancy loss varies from person to person, and so we wouldn’t want to make assumptions about how much time someone might need away from work,” MacLaren May said. “We will work with people individually, and make arrangements that work for their own circumstances.”

The company will ensure complete confidentiality and fully paid leave where needed — the employee can initially self-certify for a week’s — as well as flexible working arrangements to support them back to work following their loss.

Bonnier's policy, circulated to all staff today, reads: “Bonnier Books UK recognises that how an employer and colleagues respond to pregnancy loss can affect how well women and their partners cope with the loss and how soon each will feel able to return to work.

“The charity Tommy’s estimates that one in four pregnancies ends in loss, with many happening before a woman is even aware that she has become pregnant. This could mean that pregnancy loss happens before a woman has announced she is pregnant, and which may be one of the reasons why employees find it particularly difficult to ask for support from their employer."

The company has defined "pregnancy loss" as referring to all types of loss including miscarriage, termination, stillbirth and neonatal death. The announcement comes three months after Bonnier Books UK's c.e.o. Perminder Mann (pictured) launched the firm's inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Some other publishers are exploring dedicated policies in this area. Penguin Random House developed the Penguin Parents scheme in 2019 as a focus project to improve support for working parents and introduced equal parental leave among other HR policies, detailed recently in its Diversity and Inclusion plan earlier this month. The Bookseller understands it is exploring other policies in this area.

Hachette UK is also exploring how to support those experiencing pregnancy loss as well as those undergoing fertility treatment, aiming to formulate policy later this year. A spokesperson told The Bookseller: “We’re in the process of creating a new, wide-ranging staff wellbeing policy which will include the support we offer to anyone going through fertility treatment or pregnancy loss.

“We currently handle pregnancy loss or fertility treatment on a case-by-case basis and provide support tailored to the individuals who choose to share their deeply personal experiences with us.”

Pan Macmillan cited a more general policy though suggested it may formulate more specific support in this area. A company spokesman said: “We have a 'parental bereavement' policy, which includes support for anyone on our teams who experiences the loss of a baby during pregnancy. We manage all such cases, as well as instances when staff are undergoing fertility treatment, with understanding and empathy, working to support our employees by providing paid time off as well as access to an employee assistance programme that offers professional counselling. Our HR team regularly reviews best practice and develops appropriate guidance and we are looking at the best way to further support staff in the future in these areas.”

HarperCollins said it approaches staff needs on an individual basis. John Athanasiou, the company's director of people, commented: “The wellbeing of our staff is paramount and in these circumstances our priority is always the individual and their specific needs - which may not be best served by a fixed policy. For those embarking on fertility treatment or who sadly suffer a miscarriage we are there to listen, offer support as best we can, and to give them the time they need for treatment or personal care.”

More information on pregnancy loss can be found at tommys.org