Lending platform Funding Circle has signed the Miscarriage Association’s pregnancy loss pledge in order to support its staff through miscarriage.
The business signed the pledge following its identification by Parents at FC, one of Funding Circle’s six diversity, equity and inclusion groups, as a way of recognising its commitment to supporting staff.
By signing, Funding Circle marked its intention to create a supportive work environment where staff feel able to discuss and disclose pregnancy and loss without being disadvantaged or discriminated against, and to put a policy or guidance in place, and understand and implement rules around pregnancy-related leave.
The business will ensure line managers have access to resources to help them manage a difficult situation, as well as supporting staff and their partners back to work by showing flexibility wherever possible.
According to Funding Circle, it made the decision to do this as part of its commitment to support employees through all types of parenthood, including offering enhanced maternity pay, and partner, adoption and care leave, with the latter enabling caregivers to take additional paid leave to look after dependents.
Victoria Bradford, people director at Funding Circle UK, said: “Funding Circle is a mission-led business, and our people and culture are among our most important assets. We’ve always been committed to supporting our employees through all stages of parenthood, and we also recognise that, tragically, not every pregnancy goes to plan and this can be very distressing for those involved.
“We’re proud to have signed the pledge for this important campaign and hope that we can continue to break the taboo of pregnancy loss in the workplace and support staff when they need it most.”
Last year, Funding Circle launched its parental bereavement policy, offering additional paid time off to recover for birth parents and partners. It also provides compassionate leave specifically for parental bereavement and fertility treatments.