Announced today (Thursday 8 February), the pub operator and brewer said the plans had been designed to recognise every person’s experience of fertility treatment is different.
Extended to team members undergoing fertility treatment either personally and to those supporting a partner who is receiving treatment, the new policy provides team members up to five days additional paid leave to attend appointments, per treatment cycle, for up to three treatments.
Inclusive for all
The Suffolk-based firm said it would be providing line managers with a guide to advise on how they can best support people going through a fertility journey.
In addition, team members and their families will also be able to access help, support and resources from the Greene King Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which is available 24/7, all year round.
Greene King chief people and transformation officer Andrew Bush said: “When we were reviewing our family policies it was clear we needed to include a Fertility and IVF Treatment Policy that was inclusive for all.
“We understand it 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.”
Minimise worry
Other family-friendly policies offered by Greene King include maternity, paternity and adoption leave in order to recognise the support team members need as their personal lives change throughout their careers and at different life stages.
To make sure the new Fertility and IVF Treatment Policy was inclusive for all its team members, it consulted with all four of its employee led inclusion groups (ELIGs), to ensure everyone’s circumstances would be represented within the policy.
Greene King also shard plans to implement an updated Carers Leave policy ahead of new employment legislation coming into force in April.
Bush added: “It’s important as an inclusive employer, we are there to support all our team members, so 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.”
