In a move that is being hailed as a major step forward for reproductive rights, the Co-operative Group has announced that its staff who are struggling to conceive will be given paid leave for fertility treatments
Under the new policy, staff will be entitled to paid leave for fertility treatment, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The time off is flexible and unrestricted, to suit the nature of fertility treatment and appointments.
Incredibly, the support also extends to partners who accompany those going to appointments for fertility treatment, with paid leave for up to 10 appointments per cycle and for up to three cycles of fertility treatment. The Co-op, which employs about 60,000 people, says that anyone can access the paid support and it does not matter how long they have worked at the Co-op or how many hours they work.
The move is supported by Co-op’s chief executive, Shirine Khoury-Haq, who has gone through the process of fertility treatment herself and understands the need for a supportive working environment. Fertility treatment is an emotionally and physically demanding process, and the added stress of worrying about work can make it even harder.
Khoury-Haq said: “It is incredibly difficult to navigate through fertility treatment while balancing work and the wider impact it has on your life.
“Sadly, in some cases, there is also the need to manage the physical and emotional impact of failed cycles and even pregnancy loss.
“The decision to discuss this with your employer is an incredibly difficult and personal one. 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.
“Having gone through all of this myself, I felt very lucky to be in a supportive professional environment; however, this isn’t always the case for so many people.
“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.”
This is a significant step forward not just for the Co-op but also for businesses in the UK more broadly. It sets an important precedent and sends a strong message that fertility treatment is a normal and essential part of healthcare that should be supported by employers.
The new policy from the Co-op is a welcome step in the right direction, and we hope other businesses will follow suit.
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