Benefits Think The case for pregnancy loss support at work

Published 3 Min Read

Two people hold hands.
Adobe Stock

Few workplace experiences are as isolating as pregnancy loss. Silence, stigma and the absence of clear policies don’t just compound grief: they drain loyalty, erode performance and push talent out the door. Yet, nearly one million pregnancies end in miscarriage each year in the U.S. and most organizations lack any dedicated support. 

Surveys consistently show that employees navigating loss are left to improvise. They take vacation time, unpaid leave or simply return to work too soon. The result is predictable: disengagement, burnout and attrition. Research from McKinsey estimates that grief-related absenteeism and presenteeism cost U.S. companies more than $75 billion annually. Replacing a single employee can cost up to twice their salary, making this not a marginal issue but a business continuity issue.


For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.


More From Employee Benefit News

Sign Up Form

Login Modal Form