July 21, 2025
Miscarriage leave policies are a critical yet often overlooked aspect of support for faculty members facing personal loss. These policies can provide essential assistance to grieving educators, as highlighted by Alyse Keller Johnson.
On many college campuses, the absence of clear miscarriage leave policies represents a significant gap that needs urgent attention. The academic environment often emphasizes compassion for students experiencing hardships, yet it frequently neglects the emotional and physical toll that similar experiences can have on faculty members.
My own experience with miscarriage revealed a harsh reality within the academic community. After discovering that I had suffered a missed miscarriage at nine weeks, I faced a challenging journey of recovery, both mentally and physically. Despite the trauma, I felt an overwhelming pressure to return to my responsibilities, including lesson planning and grading, as quickly as possible.
This urgency to resume work is not uncommon in higher education, where faculty members often juggle numerous responsibilities, leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. The demands of teaching, mentoring, and research can be particularly taxing, especially for women and marginalized groups within academia.
In stark contrast, the support systems in place for students are more robust. A pedagogy of care emphasizes empathy and connection, ensuring that students who experience loss, such as miscarriage, receive the necessary support to navigate their academic journey. For instance, Title IX protections allow students to take time off for medical needs, including miscarriage, ensuring they have the resources to cope without jeopardizing their education.
However, similar structures of support for faculty are sorely lacking. As noted by educator Maha Bali, a true pedagogy of care must extend to faculty, advocating for policies that allow instructors to manage their responsibilities without succumbing to burnout. While federal laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act provide some protections, they do not always translate into adequate support on campus for faculty dealing with the aftermath of a miscarriage.
In my case, I was fortunate to work in a supportive department where my colleagues offered assistance. However, this is not the reality for many. The logistical challenges of canceling classes and reorganizing the semester can be overwhelming, detracting from the time needed to grieve and heal. Faculty members should not have to navigate these complexities alone; a clear miscarriage leave policy would alleviate some of this burden.
Currently, many institutions lack transparency regarding the support available to faculty. Establishing fair and compassionate policies, such as dedicated miscarriage leave, would provide faculty with the necessary time to grieve while ensuring their rights are clearly defined. As suggested by researchers Grace Ellen Brannon and Catherine L. Riley, effective policies should include guidance for managers on how to support employees during such difficult times.
Internationally, some universities have implemented progressive policies. For example, the University of Essex allows pregnant employees who experience a miscarriage to take unlimited sick leave, while also providing resources for department heads to support their staff compassionately. In the U.S., the University of Santa Clara has introduced a Reproductive Loss Leave policy that clearly outlines paid leave for various reproductive losses, including miscarriage.
While these examples are promising, they remain exceptions rather than the norm. However, there are small steps that institutions can take to support faculty experiencing miscarriage, such as fostering peer support groups and encouraging open dialogue about loss.
Listening to colleagues in their time of need can make a significant difference. A simple gesture, like reaching out to offer support, can help alleviate feelings of isolation. In my own experience, a colleague’s willingness to listen provided me with comfort during a challenging time.
As bell hooks emphasizes, love is not just an emotion but a practice that can transform our educational environments. By fostering a culture of care and understanding, we can begin to address the needs of faculty who have experienced miscarriage. Ultimately, the goal should be to establish policies that recognize the reality of loss, reduce the emotional burden associated with it, and allow faculty to grieve and heal with dignity.