Pub and brewer Greene King has introduced an inclusive fertility and IVF treatment policy for its approximately 39,000 employees.
Members of staff will be eligible for up to five days of additional paid leave to attend appointments per treatment cycle, for up to three treatments. They, and their families, can access help, support and resources from the organisation’s employee assistance programme which is available 24/7, all year round, while line managers will be provided with a guide to advise on how they can best support those going through fertility treatment.
The policy has been designed to offer support for staff who are undergoing fertility treatment, either personally or supporting a partner receiving it, because the organisation recognises that every person’s experience is unique and different. To ensure the policy is inclusive for all its workers, Greene King consulted with its four employee-led inclusion groups to ensure that everyone’s circumstances would be represented.
Andrew Bush, chief people and transformation officer, said: “When we were reviewing our family policies it was clear that we needed to include a fertility and IVF treatment policy that was inclusive for all, as not everyone’s journey to starting a family is the same. We understand this can be an extremely anxious time for anyone undergoing or supporting a partner or surrogate through fertility treatment, which can have an emotional, physical and financial impact, especially if treatment is unsuccessful.
“It’s important as an inclusive employer, that we are there to support all our team members, so that they can balance their working lives with something on such a significant personal scale and help to minimise any worry that taking additional leave can cause.”
Greene King’s suite of family-friendly policies also includes maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and has been designed to recognise the support team members need as their personal lives change throughout their careers and life stages.