Employee Benefits Live 2025: Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) recognises the importance of supporting employees through the life stages of fertility, parenthood and menopause.
Speaking exclusively to the delegates at Employee Benefits Live 2025 at ExCel, London, Ellie Vaughan, global head of reward and benefits at HSF Kramer, detailed the support that the organisation offers its staff and why they are vital business issues.
Vaughan explained that the costs of fertility treatment, and the impact it can have on employees, make fertility benefits is a physical, mental and financial wellbeing issue, as well as a productivity and a retention issue.
“Meaningful support matters for both our current and our future workforces,” said Vaughan.
HSF Kramer supports its employees through their fertility journey with a £15,000 lifetime allowance for fertility treatments through its private medical insurance (PMI) policy. It also offers five days of fertility leave for people undergoing treatment, and two days for partners. Employees have access to expert advice and support, and an employee assistance programme (EAP) that offers emotional wellbeing resources.
Vaughan also highlighted that more can be done in the area of fertility support, such as egg freezing and improved access to fertility services for same-sex couples.
“A fertility offering that truly reflects the needs of a modern workforce should be inclusive and accessible, create a safe space for people and consider the diverse pathways that people take to parenthood,” said Vaughan.
She went on to describe how providing exclusive family parental support is fast becoming an essential recruitment and retention strategy.
“HSF Kramer’s approach is built around flexibility, inclusivity and real-life support,” said Vaughan.
The organisation offers paid carers leave, flexible parental leave and annual leave purchase to help parents support their families. It also offers an agile working policy which asks employees to work 60% in the office.
HSF Kramer also takes a proactive and inclusive approach to supporting employees going through the menopause. It offers funded consultations with a gynaecologist and a virtual GP service with access to doctors trained in women’s reproductive health. It has a menopause hub which provides access and signposting to resources, and also runs a peer support network, ‘The Hot Women’ which is open to men as well.
