UK Retailer Co-op Strengthens Inclusive Support for Employees Affected by Pregnancy Loss

UK Retailer Co-op Strengthens Inclusive Support for Employees Affected by Pregnancy Loss

(IN BRIEF) Co-op has doubled paid bereavement leave for pregnancy loss from five to ten days, reinforcing its compassionate approach to employee wellbeing and inclusion. The updated policy, first introduced in 2021, recognizes pregnancy loss as a bereavement rather than an illness and supports all parents, including partners and those via surrogacy. It offers paid time off, counselling, and mental health resources, alongside guidance for managers to assist affected colleagues. The announcement follows a Parliamentary Reception hosted by Sarah Owen MP and organized by the Miscarriage Association, marking progress on statutory bereavement leave. CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq and other advocates emphasized the need for empathy and fairness in addressing pregnancy loss, with Co-op’s framework serving as a model for UK employers.

(PRESS RELEASE) MANCHESTER, 16-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Co-op has reaffirmed its position as a leader in workplace compassion and inclusivity by doubling paid leave for colleagues affected by pregnancy loss—from five to ten days—strengthening its groundbreaking policy first launched in 2021. The enhancement reflects Co-op’s continued commitment to supporting all parents, partners, and intended parents via surrogacy through one of the UK’s most progressive employee wellbeing frameworks.

Unlike most workplace policies, Co-op’s approach treats pregnancy loss as a bereavement rather than an illness, offering time, understanding, and flexibility to anyone impacted—regardless of length of service, hours worked, or stage of the loss. This inclusive policy provides not only paid leave but also access to mental health and counselling services, time off for medical appointments, and signposting to specialist charities. Managers are supported with guidance to ensure they can handle sensitive conversations and provide appropriate assistance when colleagues experience such loss, including emergency leave when a family member is affected.

The update follows a Parliamentary Reception held at the House of Commons, hosted by Sarah Owen MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, and organised by the Miscarriage Association with Co-op’s sponsorship. The event celebrated progress in the campaign to introduce statutory bereavement leave for pregnancy loss under the Employment Rights Bill—an initiative Co-op strongly supports.

Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said, “Losing a baby at any stage is devastating, and no one should face that pain without support. By extending paid leave, we’re giving our colleagues time and space to grieve without added stress. This is about compassion, fairness, and breaking the silence around pregnancy loss. We welcome the Employment Rights Bill and urge other employers to follow our example.”

Vicki Robinson, Chief Executive of the Miscarriage Association, praised Co-op’s leadership: “By doubling paid leave, Co-op demonstrates genuine compassion and sets a benchmark for other companies. Their ongoing partnership with our Leave for Every Loss campaign shows their deep commitment to supporting those affected.”

Sarah Owen MP echoed this sentiment, calling Co-op’s action “a vital example of leadership and empathy,” reinforcing that pregnancy loss “is a bereavement, not an illness.”

Co-op’s policy, developed with the Miscarriage Association, remains publicly accessible to encourage other employers to adopt similar measures. With one in five pregnancies ending in miscarriage—about 250,000 each year in the UK—the company’s initiative provides a model for how businesses can foster wellbeing and retention through empathy and flexibility. The new enhancement complements Co-op’s broader bereavement commitments, including four weeks of fully paid leave for employees who lose a child under 18 and its advocacy in creating the Children’s Funeral Fund in 2019.

For full details of Co-op’s pregnancy loss policy, visit Co-op’s official website.

ENDS

About Co-op

Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance, and legal services. Owned by over 6 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about. With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 6,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 54,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.

Media contact:

Russ Brady
Director of Group Communications
Email: pressoffice@coop.co.uk
Phone: 07880 784 442

SOURCE: Co-operative Group Limited