Fertility Network UK announces major new partnership with HSBC UK, celebrates 20 years of providing fertility workplace support across the UK

National charity Fertility Network UK (FNUK) and leading international bank HSBC UK have announced a new three-year partnership to provide enhanced resources, emotional support, and practical guidance to employees navigating difficult pathways to parenthood. This, as FNUK celebrates 20 years of improving workplace wellbeing through the provision of tailored fertility support for small and large organisations and their employees.

Sharon Martin, chief executive of Fertility Network UK said, “One in six people worldwide are impacted by fertility challenges, and nearly 8 out of 10 in the UK say that fertility support or a fertility policy was very important when they were considering a new job or employer. ²

“Employers can make all the difference to staff facing fertility struggles, and so we’re really pleased to strengthen our long-standing working relationship with HSBC to raise awareness about the challenges associated with fertility and alternative paths to parenthood, helping to reduce stigma and foster understanding across their organisation and beyond.”

In 2020 HSBC UK held its first talk about infertility with both male and female colleagues sharing about their experiences from an individual and work perspective, and in 2022 it formed ‘Journey’ – an employee resource group (ERG) open to all colleagues and dedicated to breaking the taboo surrounding the difficult journeys people face in their desire to have a family. One of the bank’s fastest-growing ERGs, it offers colleagues meaningful support across a range of important areas including IVF, surrogacy, adoption, baby loss, results and decisions during pregnancy, male infertility, mental health and more. And in 2023, HSBC signed the Fertility Workplace Pledge.

Rachel Montgomerie, Head of Human Resources for HSBC UK said, “We’ve built a thriving community leading awareness and education about fertility across HSBC UK, underpinned by supportive policies and actions. We deeply value Fertility Network UK’s expertise, and together we’re stepping up efforts to break the taboo surrounding fertility and the path to parenthood – creating a more inclusive workplace that attracts top talent into HSBC and helps all our people to be at their very best.”

How HSBC is supporting colleagues:

• Awareness and Advocacy: The partnership will deliver a series of initiatives, including workshops, webinars, and events aimed at raising awareness and advocacy across the bank, offering employees practical tools and advice on managing the emotional and financial aspects of fertility and other parental journeys. This includes growing the bank’s Fertility Ambassador Programme, with an ambition to increase membership from 40 to more than 100 Ambassadors by 2025.
• Direct supports: HSBC employees will have direct access to FNUK’s expert resources, including support groups and educational materials tailored to individual needs. It will also provide colleagues access to experts from leading fertility clinics across the country, as well as other external resources.
• Coaching and Development: Giving people leaders access to industry-leading tools they need and equipping them to be able to provide support when circumstances arise to create safety within the working environment for individuals that may be on a journey to start a family.
• Enhanced HR policies and benefits: The bank is also introducing free fertility checks as part of its UK employee healthcare plan from January 2025, with an aim to give people an understanding of their fertility health and an opportunity to speak to a specialist. This builds on its existing supports and policies inclusive of a range of family-building journeys, including adoption and surrogacy, as well as 12 days leave per year for fertility treatment.

Added Montgomerie, “From supportive and flexible leave policies to introducing fertility checks as part of our UK employee health benefits package, we’re serious about breaking the taboo surrounding fertility as part of our wider employee wellbeing strategy.”

Supporting research and insight:

Research commissioned by FNUK and Fertifa highlights the importance of having the right level of support for employees²:

• Nearly 8 out of 10, responded that fertility support or a fertility policy was very important when they were considering a new job or employer.
• 3 out of 4 said their productivity at work was strongly impacted by fertility challenges and 1 in 3 said that they received very little or no support from their employer.
• 1 in 3 people who went through fertility treatment took time off work without telling their employer why.
• Almost 1 in 5 said they left their jobs because of the impact of fertility treatment.

Added Martin: “The average person going through an IVF cycle will need between 8-10 flexible working days for appointments, scans, egg collection and embryo transfer. Sadly, it’s not uncommon for staff to end up reducing their hours or quitting their job if they’re unable to balance work and fertility issues. Having clear policies and flexible supports is vital. With policy in place, employees know immediately what help is available, such as time off for medical procedures, without having to disclose their infertility or treatment, if they don’t wish to.”