John D Wood & Co. says that it is committed to driving change within the property industry by introducing new wellbeing policies for menopause, pregnancy loss and fertility.
The prime estate agency aims to remove the stigma around health issues and ensure employees feel supported through their life experiences with zero impact to their career.
This October the business has introduced three new policies to support staff and their family members who are impacted by menopause, pregnancy loss and fertility issues, and has also signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge – World Menopause Day is held every year on 18 October.
More than half – 59% – of the workforce at John D Wood & Co. are women, and the company highlights:
- Women at menopausal age make up one of the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce. It is reported that one in three women will consider reducing their hours or leaving work due to symptoms they experience
- Pregnancy loss is more common than many people think, with one in four pregnancies ending in loss during pregnancy or birth. The loss can affect everyone involved physically, mentally and emotionally
- Despite 68,000 fertility treatment cycles being carried out every year in the UK, and one in six couples affected, there is currently no statutory right to time off work for fertility treatment
- Most people who experience fertility problems are reluctant to speak about it in the workplace because they fear it may have a detrimental effect on their career
Managing director, Polly Ogden Duffy, said: “We are committed to supporting, training and educating all employees, in an effort to remove taboos and improve wellbeing whilst at work. Our employees are deserving of our commitment of support at times when they need it most.”
Good to see this from John D Wood & Co.on World Menopause Day.
First and foremost companies should have policies that protect the health of their people. Womens’ health has too often been taboo in the workplace with women either hiding symptoms or leaving their jobs.
It also makes great business sense – Like the article says menopausal women make up the fastest growing section of the workforce. Loosing women at this stage of life means organisations potentially loose the few senior women they employee – significantly impacting the little diversity we have in senior teams, removing role models, impacting gender pay gap and reinforcing the status quo.
I’m interested in the title from PIE – describing these as well-being policies – these are health policies. These are health events.
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So a female staff member can have a day or 2 off every month?
Pregnancy loss – yes I think that is acceptable and correct
Fertility treatment – I am meant to cover that then
Really
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There’s always one.
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