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UK company offers staff paid leave and flexible work during menopause and pregnancy loss
Fertility and gender reassignment treatments are also included in the new policy
Online clothing retailer Asos will allow staff paid time off for health issues such as menopause and pregnancy loss.
According to The Guardian, the company’s new policy is aimed at supporting employees who are experiencing ‘health-related life events’, such as symptoms relating to the menopause, miscarriages, abortions, fertility treatment and even gender reassignment treatment.
These members of staff will be given up to ten days of leave, with the policy also extending to the partners of those who were pregnant and for surrogate pregnancies.
Asos added that their new policies are all gender-neutral, with its chief executive, Nick Beighton stressing that staff will be supported ‘personally and financially’.
He said: “All of us face unexpected challenges in life, and sometimes these can create very difficult circumstances which mean we need to step away from or change how we work.
“We’ve launched these new policies to reassure all Asosers that they will continue to be supported, personally and financially, throughout those difficult times. We’re here, no matter what it is and every step of the way.”
Wider health issues requiring paid leave like cancer treatment and gender reassignment surgery are also included in the policy, with the company providing up to six weeks of paid leave for its 3,800-strong workforce, which is mainly based in the UK, undergoing such treatments – as well as those fleeing domestic abuse situations.
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This comes after a surge in companies taking a larger focus on employee and staff well-being; just two weeks ago, a Greater Manchester company adopted a four-day working week to give staff ‘more time to focus on themselves, their mental health and their loved ones’ without any pay cut.
Commercial manager Gareth Rollo said on the new working hours: “As well as valuing our customers, business trade partners and suppliers we also value our biggest assets, the employees whose hard work, and the commitment and dedication that makes our business the success it is.
“In order to further recognise this, and to lead the way in employee health and wellbeing, we are delighted to announce an industry-leading change to ways of working which is intended to give our employees a better work-life balance while allowing us to continue giving our customers the first-class products and service they are accustomed to.”