UK banking organisation Natwest Group has introduced employee discounts for a multitude of fertility treatments.
The business will enable its 59,000 staff to have access to IVF, sperm freezing, treatment with donor eggs and sperm, and support for same-sex couples who want to start a family at a reduced price. Discounts range from 5% to 20% depending on the treatment, with employees able to receive 10% off IVF treatment, for instance.
According to Natwest, it identified a gap in funding and support for fertility treatment within the organisation. Therefore, it implemented services including information and expertise on IVF, egg freezing, complex cases including recurrent miscarriage, IUI, and all areas of reproductive health in partnership with fertility and reproductive healthcare benefits provider Fertifa.
Natwest introduced its existing employee-led fertility and loss network, which is part of the same employee benefits package as the discounted fertility treatment, after a group of staff asked the HR department for more support. The provision aims to raise awareness and create a support network for staff who are affected fertility and loss issues, including miscarriage, baby loss, IVF, adoption and surrogacy.
According to Natwest, the business is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its staff and is aware that reproductive issues can have a profound effect on this. With this in mind, the senior team knew this was an issue it should help with when the fertility and loss network identified a lack of support and funding for fertility treatment.
Asma Ali, a senior Natwest banker who set up the fertility and loss network, said: “Having gone through fertility issues and miscarriages, I know how this impacts people. It can be a very lonely time for individuals.”