Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 03:20 pm
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Fertility organisation welcomes premium drinks company to list of members
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Diageo announce new fertility support guidelines for employees
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Employees of Diageo in the UK will now be entitled to paid leave support if they’re an individual undergoing treatment, a partner of the individual going through treatment, or an intended parent.
Educating businesses and raising awareness of how fertility issues affect both their employees and their organisation, Fertility Matters at Work is on a mission to find the first 100 UK companies to commit to becoming Fertility Friendly employers.
Global leader in premium drinks, Diageo, is one of the businesses committed to becoming Fertility Friendly. Championing inclusion and diversity is central to Diageo’s Performance Ambition, and the business is committed to implementing market-leading policies and practices that support its employees.
Diageo already offers its employees a number of leading policies, including ones centred around pregnancy loss, domestic and family abuse, and menopause. Adding Fertility Support Guidelines to their suite of personal and family support is necessary to help Diageo assist employees going through health and family-related challenges.
Caroline Rhodes, Global Inclusion and Diversity Director at Diageo, comments: “Ensuring that our people feel supported to bring their whole selves to work is a tenet that underpins our business. So many people are directly impacted by fertility issues and every person’s experience is unique.
“I want to personally thank our employees who have partnered with us on these guidelines, sharing their own lived experiences with such candour and honesty, helping us to consider the key needs of individuals during what can be a highly emotional and stressful journey.”
Employees of Diageo will now be entitled to paid leave support if they’re an individual undergoing treatment, a partner of the individual going through treatment, or an intended parent.
Alongside paid leave support, Diageo, which owns brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys, and Tanqueray, will also aim to raise awareness of fertility issues internally and the mental and physical toll faced by those affected.
Caroline adds: “Guided by the expertise of Fertility Matters at Work, our new guidelines will act as an educational tool for line managers setting out the reality of fertility issues and treatment, with guidance on supporting someone going through the process with compassion and understanding.
“We’re delighted to be working with an organisation whose central mission is to ensure fertility is recognised and supported in the workplace.”
Natalie Silverman, co-founder of Fertility Matters at Works, comments on Diageo’s commitment to becoming a Fertility Friendly employer: “We’re really proud to be working with a range of businesses dedicated to supporting their employees through ensuring appropriate policy and guidance is in place, and that this is supported by awareness raising and education.
“It’s great to see companies like Diageo recognise that the journey to building a family isn’t always linear, and for some, it can be physically and emotionally challenging. We’re confident that participating in our Fertility Friendly training and working toward our accreditation will help bring to life and support the new Fertility support guidelines at Diageo.”
For more information on becoming a Fertility Friendly workplace, please visit: Services – Fertility Matters at Work
