Science and technology business Merck has launched a fertility benefit programme to offer its employees across the globe financial support for fertility treatments.
It will initially roll out the programme in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, China, India, Taiwan, Brazil and Mexico, with an expansion in further countries planned to start next year. Merck currently offers similar benefits to employees in the US, Canada and Japan.
The benefit applies to all staff, irrespective of their marital status, and is also open to their partners. It covers a range of services, such as fertility tests, in-vitro fertilisation treatments. and hormonal treatments. Merck also offers employees dealing with infertility issues additional information services related to fertility disorders.
Doina Ionescu, managing director of Merck Healthcare UK and Ireland, said: “Merck has been helping people and families to create, improve and prolong lives for a long time, and as a global leader in fertility we understand the emotional and financial toll fertility challenges can take. We are proud to offer our employees financial support to follow their dreams if they wish to become parents.
“We have always been pioneers in making a balanced work and home life a reality for our colleagues, with flexible and hybrid working, a healthcare fertility policy, a menopause policy and various other support offers. We hope others in the industry will join us as we strive to create an inclusive environment for all, especially women, in the Stem industry.”
Merck offers its employees life insurance, health check-ups, medical insurance, a pension scheme, a platform for discount schemes, and health benefits that support physical and mental wellbeing.