Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory has welcomed news that a fashion online retailer is bringing in new HR policies to support employees when they go through health-related life events.

The retailer's policy changes mean that their staff can receive paid leave when experiencing life events such as pregnancy loss; fertility treatment; the menopause; and wider health-related life events that require paid leave, such as cancer treatment or gender reassignment surgery.

The policies are gender neutral and apply to everyone regardless of who they are or their circumstances.

Cherilyn Mackrory said: “I am pleased to see such a major retailer in ASOS recognise the impact of pregnancy loss, and bring in HR policy changes to allow mothers and families time to deal with these incredibly difficult life events, as part of their wider changes to support their employees through health-related life events.”

“This change in policy will help to increase awareness of the impact of such common life events, breaking down the taboos around these issues, as well as the importance of taking time off when it is needed, and I applaud ASOS for their work in this area.

"I hope that other employers will follow suit and will continue to do all I can to have the difficult conversations that need to be had in order to raise awareness and bring about change in this area.” She added.

Specifically on pregnancy loss, ASOS staff who suffer a loss will be able to take ten days paid leave. The policy covers miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy and abortion and will apply to the individual that was pregnant, to those whose partner was pregnant, or if it was a surrogate pregnant on their behalf, recognising that the impact and grief of pregnancy loss is felt by individuals, couples and families as well as the biological mother.