It’s been almost a year since we launched our fertility policy and I remember being very proud not only because we were able to launch it but because I could share it with anyone who wanted to bring a fertility policy to their company. I wanted to create something that could be launched easily without delay.
We committed to:
- giving continued support regardless of length of treatment or fertility journey
- promotional opportunities and salary reviews will not be affected by availing of the policy
- extreme privacy measures around recording of absence and limiting who needs to be notified
- unlimited leave allowance for procedures and appointments
Read more about Retail inMotion’s fertility policy here. Also, if you’d like to read about what we’ve achieved so far, check out this article.
The messages I received about it blew me away, and I still get asked for the policy even today. Please reach out if you would like a copy.
One of those messages led me to my next “passion project”.
“Hi Steph, we’ve been through so much and are finally 22 weeks pregnant with our surrogate. My company have said no to any time off or pay for maternity leave. It’s so stressful after everything we have been through – emotionally, physically and financially.”
In my research to try and help the person who contacted me, I found that there are no rights or entitlements for parents who have children through surrogacy. I wrongly assumed it would be treated similarly to adoption.
Therefore, I have written a policy for anyone in Retail inMotion who will use surrogacy to create their family. Once more, our Executive team have agreed that our policy can be shared with anyone who would like to try to introduce it in their company. Please reach out to me to receive a copy.
The policy aims to support RiM employees who are using the surrogacy route to start or expand their families. We have reviewed every RiM policy regarding parenting and reviewed it to fit the surrogacy journey.
RiM commits to give continued support, regardless of the quantity of surrogacy treatments. We understand that the main worries during a surrogacy journey are time off, maternity leave, confidentiality and financial and we would like to do what we can to lessen those concerns.
My dearest hope is that, just like the fertility policy, this initiative sends a message to all those who are affected by fertility matters. We see you; we hear you and we want to support you.
