'Will This Affect My Career?' Why Millions Of Indian Women Hide Miscarriages At Work
'Will This Affect My Career?' Why Millions Of Indian Women Hide Miscarriages At Work Written By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 10:41 IST Nearly 70
'Will This Affect My Career?' Why Millions Of Indian Women Hide Miscarriages At Work Written By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 10:41 IST Nearly 70 million working women in India would consider leaving jobs if they didn't receive support after a miscarriage. 78 million fear job loss or negative career consequences Rapid Read Unlike maternity leave, miscarriage often remains invisible at workplace. Women frequently return to work while dealing with physical recovery and emotional distress. Many do so without informing colleagues or supervisors. A 38-year-old IT professional in Bengaluru, who did not wish to be identified, found herself in a workplace quagmire after suffering a miscarriage a few months ago. She recalls struggling to cope with her emotions while also trying to maintain a brave face at work, as she could not bring herself to share her situation with colleagues or managers. She is not the only woman in India to grapple with the fear of discussing a miscarriage at work. A new survey by Quest Global and YouGov shows that nearly 70 million working women in the country would consider leaving their jobs if they did not receive adequate support after a miscarriage. Even more strikingly, an estimated 78 million women fear job loss or negative career consequences if they disclose a miscarriage to their employer. The findings raise a question: Is India Inc overlooking a major factor affecting women’s workforce participation, productivity and retention? The Silent Workplace Taboo Miscarriage is a deeply personal experience, but for many working women, it is also a professional challenge. The Quest Global-YouGov survey found that fear remains one of the biggest reasons women choose not to discuss pregnancy loss at work. Nearly 80 million women remain silent because they fear judgement from colleagues, managers or employers. Unlike maternity leave, which is increasingly recognised as a workplace issue, miscarriage often remains invisible. Women frequently return to work while dealing with physical recovery, emotional distress and uncertainty about future pregnancies. Many do so without informing colleagues or supervisors. The result is a parado pregnancy loss is relatively common, yet conversations around it remain rare in offices. “For many women, pregnancy loss is a deeply personal experience, and deciding whether to share it at work is not always easy," said Sonali Chowdhry, CEO, OfficeNet. “Some may prefer to grieve privately, while others may worry about facing uncomfortable questions or being perceived differently in a professional setting. Limited awareness and the lack of clear support systems in workplaces can also make these conversations more difficult.
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