Content Warning: This episode discusses pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. Please take care of yourself if these topics are sensitive or triggering for you.

This week, Traci tackles a topic that touches one in four pregnancies but remains largely invisible in workplace conversations: pregnancy and infant loss.

A longtime listener and HR professional reached out to share her powerful story of loss and resilience after losing her newborn son earlier this year. Through her experience, she’s seen how unprepared many workplaces are to support grieving parents—and she’s on a mission to change that. 

Her message is a call to action for HR leaders to bring more compassion, awareness, and humanity to how we support employees through unimaginable loss.

Spoiler alert: There's no federal requirement for bereavement leave in private employment, leaving a massive gap in support for grieving parents.

Traci reveals the three-stage support framework that actually works, explores state laws that lead the way, and shares why explicitly stating "reproductive loss" in policies makes all the difference.

What We Cover:

– The one-in-four reality: Why this is far more common than most realize and how that should reshape support

– The three-stage framework: Supporting employees before return, during transition, and once they're back

– Language that harms versus heals: What to avoid saying and what actually helps

– State laws leading the way: How California, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington provide reproductive loss leave

– Making loss explicit: Why stating "reproductive loss" in policies normalizes asking for support

Have thoughts on how your organization supports employees through loss, or want to share what's working in your workplace? Drop a comment on Spotify or YouTube and let us know. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraci

Griffin Cares Foundation- https://griffincaresfoundation.org/  - Provide support across the United States for those have experienced pregnancy or infant loss through events and virtual support groups.

Chasing Rainbows- https://chasingtherainbows.org/ - Provide online virtual support groups (6 days a week) to families that have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, infertility, and support for pregnancy following loss.

Sad Dads Club- https://saddadsclub.org/ - Community for loss dads. Provided the much-needed support to bereaved fathers, as they typically are less likely to reach out in traditional ways. They host online support groups, in person events and more.

Adalyn Rose Foundation- https://adalynrose.org/ - provide training for healthcare workers, remembrance carts, support groups, couples workshops , and community events raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss.

Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.