35% women consider leaving jobs after pregnancy loss due to lack of workplace support: Report

Pregnancy loss remains a deeply hidden issue among workplaces in India, with many women fearing professional consequences if they speak about their experiences, a study by engineering services company Quest Global reveals.

The study is based on research conducted by YouGov among more than 2,000 women and 200 men aged 25–39 across India.

The report titled 'Cost of Silence ' says 39% of women fear job loss or negative career repercussions if they disclose a miscarriage at work. Another 40% choose to remain silent due to concerns about being judged by colleagues or employers.

The findings are part of Quest Global's newly launched Break the Silence campaign, which aims to bring conversations around pregnancy loss into mainstream workplace discourse and encourage organisations to provide structured support for affected employees.

The study highlights the broader impact of pregnancy loss on women's careers and workplace participation. More than one-third (35%) of women surveyed said they would consider leaving their jobs if their employer failed to provide adequate support following a pregnancy loss. Additionally, 75% reported a decline in confidence after such an experience, affecting both their well-being and work performance.

The research also points to the business benefits of providing meaningful support. Nearly half (48%) of women said they would feel more comfortable discussing pregnancy loss if their workplace had supportive policies and practices in place. Meanwhile, 43% said such support would strengthen their loyalty to their employer, and 45% said they would be more likely to recommend a supportive workplace to others.

Building a support ecosystem

To address the issue, Quest Global has partnered with mental health platform YourDOST to offer a nationwide support ecosystem. The initiative includes a 24-hour helpline staffed by psychologists trained in pregnancy-loss counselling, peer-support groups, manager and HR training modules, awareness webinars, and workplace resources. The company said these services will be available free of cost to individuals and organisations across India.

"Pregnancy loss has remained largely invisible in workplaces, forcing many women to grieve in silence while continuing to perform professionally," said Ajit Prabhu, Co-founder and CEO of Quest Global. "The cost of that silence is significant—not only for individuals but also for organisations, impacting productivity, confidence, retention, and career growth."

"Support during pregnancy loss can influence whether a woman feels valued, stays in the workforce, and continues to grow in her career," said Yumi Clevenger-Lee, Chief Strategy Officer at Quest Global. "If organisations want to retain and advance women leaders, they need to acknowledge and support employees through moments that are often experienced in isolation."

The company has called on other organisations to join the initiative. Five organisations—Bharat Serum Vaccines, Kone, Amara Raja, Sterlite Technologies, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance—have already signed on to support the campaign.