ON BABY LOSS AWARENESS WEEK, BRIEFED JOINS FORCES WITH CAMPAIGNER, KEELEY LENGTHORN, TO LAUNCH MAJOR NEW TRAINING PROGRAMME
A NEW online training platform has been launched to help employees navigate a return-to-work after experiencing a baby loss.
Developed by Briefed, the free-resource is expected to be accessed by tens of thousands of companies across the UK over the coming months.
As well as supporting those suffering the loss of a child, it also educates managers, co-workers and HR leaders on the steps they can take in the workplace.
It has been created by experts at Briefed – a team of barristers that deliver specialist training, certification and support to businesses.
They’ve joined up with leading solicitor Keeley Lengthorn, who is one of the country’s main campaigners and experts in this area.
Keeley, a partner in Family Law at Taylor Rose MW Solicitors, has suffered the heartbreak of losing three children in the space of three years.
She’s now trying to turn that tragedy into a positive by fighting to enact George’s Law, which would see employees given statutory time off to recover following the loss of a baby.
Her unrelenting campaign for a law change is set to go before the House of Commons later this year.
Keeley says the new training platform is a vital part of that crusade in further raising awareness.
It comes at a time where there is still a widespread lack of knowledge on the issue of baby loss in many workplaces.
The loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy can take an enormous mental and physical toll on those impacted.
Yet currently the UK doesn’t recognise these losses in the same way as stillbirth and neonatal death.
And families are not given automatic entitlement to paid leave if they lose their baby before 24 weeks.
Instead, it is up to employers to decide to provide paid leave.
Increasingly, employers are introducing their own baby loss policies, but a lot of organisations, big and small, have no formal miscarriage leave provision.
Keeley said: “I am indebted to the whole team at Briefed for collaborating with me on my mission to legislate “Georges Law” and to raise awareness generally of baby loss.
“This training is informed, easily navigated, and provides both employers and employees with tools at their fingertips to assist employees who have suffered a baby loss.
“I’m eager to launch this and hope that businesses will use this and other training courses provided by Briefed to assist their workforce during what can be a really difficult period for some returning to work.
Keeley continued: “I am determined to help bring about a change in the law. But this could take time. This training will help provide support right now to many employees who need it and for that reason it really can be a lifeline. I urge all businesses to make use of it.”
Orlagh Kelly, a barrister and the CEO of Briefed, said: “Keeley’s story resonates with me personally, and with many other barristers, solicitors, colleagues and friends.
“That’s why I’m so grateful that Briefed now has the opportunity to raise awareness of the difficulties bereaved parents face navigating their workplace after a loss.
“We want this training and resource toolkit to ignite conversations on how employers and colleagues can support each other and implement common sense policies to create a safer and kinder work environment.”
Ms Kelly said Briefed is backing George’s Law and that will be joining forces by working together to try and bring it to fruition.
Ms Kelly added: “We’re on a mission to help raise awareness about this deeply heart-breaking and incredibly distressing experience for individuals and couples.
“We’ve been working closely with Keeley who has been campaigning for a new bill to be passed which would provide statutory leave for parents who suffer the loss of a child under 24 weeks – known as George’s Law.
“In the absence of protection at a statutory level, our training is intended to provide organisations with guidance on how to support a colleague.
“We want to ensure there is a transparent and effective baby loss policy available to employees within all organisations in the UK, and create a more understanding and compassionate environment for their employees.”
