Industry first as agency gives time off for fertility treatment

Leaders Romans Group has launched a new benefit which supports employees undergoing fertility treatment.

The benefit allows staff time off (unpaid for those with under three years’ service; paid for those with more) to attend fertility appointments.  For IVF treatment, LRG allows 10 days for the person going through the treatment and five days for partner /co-parent. 

Support for those undertaking egg/embryo freezing, sperm freezing and surrogate is also available.

The group says the policy is seen as an important tool in enabling LRG’s workforce to best support colleagues going through treatment and acknowledges the need for support within the workplace.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority reports that increasing numbers are undergoing these procedures. In the period 2019-2021, egg-freezing and storage increased by 64 per cent and IVF and donor-insemination cycles by 10 per cent. 

The number of IVF patients in female same-sex relationships increased by 33 per cent rise and single parents undergoing fertility treatment rose by 44 per cent. IVF industry figures suggest that this route accounts for the conception of over five per cent of all newborns in some European countries.

Introducing the new policy, Group HR director Hannah Cooper says: “We recognise that everyone’s journey to starting a family is different and that undergoing fertility treatment can be challenging, both mentally and physically.

“We are committed to being an inclusive organisation. Implementing family-friendly policies that support our teams and promote a positive work-life balance helps to achieve that. The Fertility Journey policy aims to assist in creating an open and honest workplace and supports both parents. We are delighted to offer this benefit above and beyond any statutory requirement, to support a sense of belonging within LRG.”

Brands which make up Leaders Romans Group, to which this benefit applies, include Bode Insurance Solutions, Boyer, Dunlop Heywood, Gibbs Gillespie, Glide, Hose Rhodes Dickson, Leaders, Moginie James, Mortgage Scout, Portico, Romans, Scott Fraser, SOWN and Three Sixty Space and The Acorn Group which includes Langford Russell, John Payne, Unique Homes, Start Financial Services and MAP Chartered Surveyors.