University College Cork has become the first Irish university to introduce paid leave to employees who have experienced pregnancy loss.

It follows extensive work carried out by the university’s Pregnancy Loss Research Group.

Its 2024 report revealed that many people surveyed reported negative and discriminatory attitudes in the workplace after they had revealed they had had a miscarriage, while others confided they had pressure from management to return to work before they were ready to do so.

Under current legislation, there is no statutory paid leave for people who experience pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, after which they can avail of full maternity or paternity leave.

To speak to us about this, Professor and leader of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at UCC, Keelin O’Donoghue, joins Seán.