Employee Benefits poll: Two-thirds (66%) of organisations offer time off for treatment as a form of fertility benefit for their workforce.
Just 5.4% of respondents to an online survey conducted by Employee Benefits said they provide employees with money towards treatment costs, with the same number listing and flexible working, while 1.3% said they offer counselling, mental health resources or access to information.
Meanwhile, 21.6% admitted that they do not offer any dedicated fertility support.
Last month, supermarket retailer Co-op, which employs almost 60,000 people, introduced a fertility treatment policy for its employees, to mark the start of National Fertility Week (31 October – 4 November). All employees are eligible regardless of how long they have worked for Co-op or the number of hours they work.
Partners of staff undergoing treatment, including same sex partners, and intended parents conceiving through a surrogate, will also get paid time off to enable them to attend appointments. They will be able to take paid leave for up to 10 appointments per cycle for up to three cycles of fertility treatment.
The policy also has a section on embryo transfer and pregnancy rights, including a connection to its pregnancy loss policy if embryo transfer is not successful, and offers access to useful information and specialist support from charities and support groups.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive of Co-op, said: “However, by creating a supportive environment companies can go a long way in opening the conversation with colleagues and easing the stress that people in this situation often feel. I feel very proud that the Co-op is leading the way on launching a fertility policy and supporting our colleagues at a time when they need it most.”
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