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Baby Loss and Infertility in the Workplace - USA

Baby loss and infertility are deeply personal experiences, yet their effects are often carried quietly into the workplace. For many individuals, returning to work after the loss of a baby brings emotional, physical and practical challenges that are rarely understood or addressed by employers. For those journeying infertility, the need for regular medical appointments and other practical challenges present other issues within the workplace.

This survey is part of a project led by Mariposa International to better understand how baby loss and infertility affect employees and workplaces across the United States. We are gathering anonymous insights from individuals who have experienced baby loss or infertility while employed. Our aim is to identify patterns in workplace support, productivity, staff wellbeing and retention following loss or infertility.

By sharing your experience, you are helping us build a clearer picture of how bereavement and infertility impact organisations as well as individuals. The findings will be used to encourage employers to introduce compassionate policies, better support systems and healthier workplace cultures for bereaved individuals and those journeying infertility.

All responses are anonymous and will be used only for research and advocacy.
1.At the time of your baby loss, were you employed?
2.At the time of your infertility, were you employed?
3.Did your employer have a specific bereavement or baby loss policy in place at the time of your loss?
4.Did your employer have a specific policy in place for people journeying infertility?
5.How supported did you feel by your employer following your loss?
6.How supported did you feel by your employer during your infertility journey.
7.How much time were you able to take off from work following your loss or infertility journey?
8.Did your baby loss or Infertility affect your ability to work in the weeks or months following your return? Please select all that apply
9.Did your experience of baby loss or infertility influence your long term relationship with your employer?
10.Did your loss or infertility journey contribute to burnout or emotional exhaustion at work?
11.Did experiencing baby loss or infertility result in you changing career
12.If you answered Yes to question 11, what would have made you stay working for your original employer?
13.Looking back, what would have made the greatest difference to you at work after your loss or whilst journeying infertility? Please select all that apply
14.What type of organisation were you working for at the time of your loss?
15.Approximately how large was the organisation you worked for at the time of your loss?
16.If you feel comfortable sharing, how did your experience of baby loss or infertility affect your work life, and what difference could your employer have made during that time? (Responses are anonymous, and may be used anonymously in research, advocacy or to help improve workplace support.
Thank you for sharing your story and your truth. Every response helps us advocate for better care and support in the workplace following loss.
Together we can ensure that no-one walks through this pain unsupported.
Zoe Clark-Coates MBE
Mariposa International
17.If you are happy to share your story in more detail (if required), please add your name and details in the box below. (Please note that by adding your details, these will be added to the charity mailing list.)
18.If you have added your story are willing for this to be used in the press?