Miscarriage leave: DB Results leading the way on staff health and wellbeing
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Continuing with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, DB Results has announced it will follow New Zealand’s landmark legislation by offering bereavement leave to staff, if sadly the need should arise. This paid leave applies to loss from miscarriage and is intended to give women and their partners time to grieve without having to access existing sick leave.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia remains one of the safest places in the world for a baby to be born. Even so, in 2018, 2,789 babies died in the perinatal period. Three quarters (2,115) were stillbirths and 674 were neonatal deaths. 1
CEO at DB Results Gavin Bunshaw explained, “The New Zealand policy recognises a gap in legislation; being a private company that strongly believes in supporting our people’s health and wellbeing, we have implemented the policy immediately at DB Results. We recognise miscarriage is a loss and like any loss requires time for grieving.”
Last year the tech company created online applications Wellness + and MiOK, which offer extra health and wellbeing support for employees, particularly during COVID-19 restrictions. The platforms were created by staff for staff and were also gifted to charity organisations
DB Results is leading the way in Australia by offering this type of leave. Apart from New Zealand, India is the only other country that has specific leave for miscarriage. DB Results is a global digital business consulting and technology company. They provide leadership in agile and digital transformation projects that drive successful business change for their customers.
Australia is one of the safest places in the world for a baby to be born, yet death occurring within the perinatal period is not uncommon. Every day in Australia, 6 babies are stillborn and 2 die within 28 days of birth (neonatal death).
In 2018, there were:
- 303,029 babies born to 298,630 women
- 2,789 perinatal deaths (0.9% of babies born). Of these deaths, just over 75% were stillbirths (2,115) and just under 25% (674) were neonatal deaths
- 9.2 perinatal deaths per 1,000 births (7.0 stillbirths per 1,000 births and 2.2 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births).
Although perinatal mortality rates have remained relatively unchanged since 1999, two categories decreased over the period:
- neonatal deaths of babies born at 23 weeks gestation or more
- deaths occurring in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Based on a city where the mountain meets the sea and where antique houses line the streets, my mind is free to wonder, to wander and to write.
