Banking organisation HSBC has introduced fertility benefits for more than 3,000 employees in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As part of the bank’s medical insurance coverage, female employees are now able to access fertility treatments including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), and both men and women can take advantage of fertility preservation support. The coverage extends to all female and male employees in need of fertility assistance, including spouses.
HSBC has also extended its fully-paid maternity leave to 18 weeks for new mothers and those who opt for adoption. It currently offers new fathers two weeks paternity leave.
Moustafa Raouf, head of human resources, UAE, at HSBC Bank Middle East, said: “By adding comprehensive fertility treatments to our medical coverage, we are ensuring our people have access to the necessary support on their journey towards starting or expanding their families. We recognise that everyone’s journey to parenthood is unique and by introducing these new benefits we are enhancing the opportunities available to our staff.
“At HSBC, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our people, and investing in these benefits will help us foster a family-friendly culture and attract, and retain, talent. Our aim is to ensure that our employees have the resources and support they need to thrive both in their careers and personal lives.”
Last year, HSBC announced that employees across the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye region will be eligible to take up to five days of paid caregivers leave per year in case of family emergencies. It was also awarded the parent-friendly label for 2022-2024 by Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, in recognition of its efforts to create an inclusive work culture and prioritise employee wellbeing through progressive employment policies and a hybrid-working model.
