The F Word at Work Fertility Matters at Work

Welcome to the final episode in this series of The F Word at Work, where we discuss mental health at work, and its prevalence regarding the topic of fertility in the workplace. We're delighted to be in conversation with Simon Blake, CEO of MHFA England® and a leading voice in mental health advocacy.
With a passion for driving social change, Simon champions diversity and community support. As Chair of the Dying Matters Campaign, he continues his commitment to promoting holistic wellbeing.
Here's a glimpse into our conversation:
Over 300,000 mental health first aiders are now active in the UK, with one in 40 adults receiving training. We delve into the impact of this training and how it has evolved over the years.Mental health takes centre stage alongside physical health concerns, emphasizing its crucial role in creating a healthy work environment.We explore the importance of using inclusive language and fostering supportive behaviours when discussing both fertility issues and mental health. The importance of listening and offering support, rather than trying to "fix" someone's situation.Learn about the valuable resources available for Mental Health Awareness Week and how these can support the fertility conversations in the workplace.We learn about Mental Health First Aid England's mission to provide training and consultancy on mental health awareness and support.Understand what mental health first aid is and its role in the workplace, including recognizing signs and symptoms of mental health issues, providing initial support, and signposting individuals to appropriate resources.The importance of creating a workplace culture where employees feel safe, supported, and have a sense of belonging, especially in the wake of the pandemic's impact on mental well-being.We explore the "My Whole Self" campaign, which emphasizes the need for dismantling the stigma surrounding fertility challenges and their connection to mental health.The importance of well-being check-ins and the need for managers to be trained in supporting employee well-being. It also recognizes the fear of missteps in difficult conversations and emphasizes building trust with employees.How mental health first aiders can empower managers and employees to address mental health and well-being concerns, including those related to fertility challenges.The importance of psychological safety in the workplace is highlighted and how mental health first aid training empowers individuals to support their colleagues, fostering a positive work environment.We conclude by reflecting on the rewarding aspects of MHFA England's work. This includes the widespread impact of training, the stories of individuals using their skills to help others, and the dedication of mental health first aiders in creating positive workplace cultures.
Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about  how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.  We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.
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Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work, where we delve into the vital conversations surrounding fertility in the workplace. Today, we're honored to host Gemma Young, Senior Managing Director at Nuveen, a driving force in shaping marketing strategies across EMEA and Asia Pacific.
Gemma Young, is an esteemed marketing leader, takes center stage, steering Nuveen's marketing endeavors while chairing the business resource group "achieve," dedicated to females and female allies.
What we discussed:
Gemma's personal journey fuels her dedication to address fertility challenges in the workplace, propelling Nuveen to pioneer impactful initiatives.Nuveen's proactive stance in fostering fertility conversations through a robust event program.Insightful panel discussions and networking sessions covering diverse topics from IVF to LGBTQ family building.Addressing crucial health issues like PCOS and endometriosis to foster a supportive environment.Witness the ripple effects: heightened awareness, enhanced employee support, and policy shifts like the introduction of fertility leave.Gemma's brilliant work internally won an award via the business resource group. Gems of wisdom for initiating similar dialogues: leverage existing affinity groups, engage HR, and rally supportive leadership.Proactive measures are key; continuous dialogue and awareness pave the way for meaningful change.
Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about  how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.  We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.
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In this episode, we are joined by Wayne Clark - the visionary force behind the Global Growth Institute (GGI), headquartered in the UK and Netherlands. Natalie reached out to Wayne, after hearing him speak about his book 'How to become a World Class manager' on another podcast and knew he would be the perfect person to discuss how organisations can really tap into the manager mindset when it comes to getting them to appreciate the importance of the fertility conversation at work. Wayne has an amazing track record and has been recognised for 4 years by HR Magazine as one of the top 25 “Most Influential Thinkersworking and to date he has worked with more than 700 CEOs/boards and thousands of managers in over 30 countries.
What we discussed:
Wayne shares the extensive research his organisation conducted to identify key traits of a world-class manager.Twelve crucial focus areas for managers Building strong relationships is crucial for effective communication between managers and team members.The importance of creating space and time for meaningful conversations and relationship building is emphasized.Steve Jobs' perspective on leadership and vision creation is shared, emphasizing the importance of clear communication.Challenges in conveying the context and vision from senior leadership to frontline managers are discussed.The frustration with unproductive meetings and the need for more effective communication tools is highlighted.Suggestions for utilizing different communication methods beyond traditional meetings are discussed.Utilizing webinars and lived experiences to enhance learning and empathy among managers is explored.High-performing manager identification and knowledge-sharing practices are discussed as effective learning strategies.Encouraging managers to understand the backstory of team members and build empathy through storytelling exercises.The value of building relationships through understanding and empathy is emphasized for effective management.Challenges with time management and the importance of flexibility in scheduling regular one-to-one meetings are discussed.The significance of spending time consciously understanding team dynamics and organizational needs is highlighted for effective management.
Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about  how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.  We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.
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In this episode, we are joined by Sabine Hutchison, the dynamic CEO and Co-Founder of Seuss+ and Vice President of the HBA EMEA region. Sabine renowned for her trailblazing spirit in entrepreneurship. With a knack for innovation, Sabine has spearheaded multiple ventures across diverse sectors, showcasing her prowess as a serial entrepreneur and Natalie met her in Basel, after Becky and her had presented our Fertility Matters at Work and here's why, flagship session as part of the inagural HBA Gender Summit. The chat begins with Claire and Natalie from FMAW discussing the importance of cross-industry awareness raising activity, which we facilitate.
What we discussed:
Significance of cross-industry conversations in the workplace.Overview of an upcoming women's health webinar in collaboration with CIPD.The need for culture change through continuous conversations across industries.The importance of removing taboos around women's health in the workplace.Challenges faced by women in leadership roles related to menopause discussions.Considerations for discussing taboo topics in gender-specific and male-dominated environments.Challenges of maintaining focus on important well-being topics amidst distractions.Importance of diverse perspectives and storytelling in addressing workplace challenges.Encouraging open conversations to normalize discussions on personal experiences in the workplace.Exploring the emotional, psychological, and financial impact of workplace well-being.Objectives for encouraging HBA members to prioritize well-being discussions in 2024.The significance of taking action and initiating conversations on crucial topics.Reflecting on the insightful panel discussions and the importance of actionable steps.Acknowledgment of ongoing conversations and the value of addressing challenging topics in the workplace.
Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about  how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.  We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.
Follow FMAW and access our free resources: 
Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter here.Follow us on Insta and find out what our community has to say.Join us on LinkedIn.Find us on X

In this episode, we are joined by Madeleine Macy, formerly the Marketing Director at Liberty and currently the Chief Executive Officer at SkyDiamond, and Brendan Boucher, Group Treasurer at The Compass Group. Please note the sensitive content within this episode as there is talk of pregnancy loss and failed IVF and you will hear about Madeline and Brendan's alternative routes to parenthood through Surrogacy.
What we discussed:
Madeleine describes her fertility journey, spanning almost a decade and involving various treatments, including alternative medicine, medication, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The difficulties of managing fertility treatments while working, especially in a demanding career. Madeline discusses experiencing multiple miscarriages, including one during her early days at a new job. She shares that she initially chose not to disclose her pregnancy losses at work, fearing it might affect how she was perceived professionally.
The toll fertility struggles took on her mental health, leading to periods of depression and personal challenges and how Madeleine eventually opened up about her experiences at work, receiving support from her boss and HR director.
The importance of creating a supportive work environment for those facing fertility challenges and the impact of colleagues' pregnancies on people's emotional well-being, highlighting the difficulty of seeing others go through pregnancy while dealing with loss
IVF during the pandemic and the advantages of remote work for those undergoing fertility treatments.
Exploring surrogacy as the next step in their journey after facing challenges with IVF.
The grief associated with another miscarriage during the surrogacy process and the emotional toll it takes and the importance of taking time off when needed and the need for workplaces to recognize miscarriage as a form of bereavement.
The male experience of fertility journey, including experiences of loss, challenges, and different stages of treatment.
The impact of changing jobs whilst still going through different stages of treatment including egg donation and IVF cycles, and challenges faced during the process.
How a a chance encounter with a couple on a boat in Thailand led to finding a surrogate.
Emotional impact, resilience, and the importance of support during the fertility journey.
The challenges of balancing fertility treatments with work responsibilities and the need for awareness, education, and support networks within organizations.
Conscious quitting and the changing expectations of employees regarding ethical and supportive workplaces and why organisations need to be inclusive.
Consideration of individual circumstances in workplace policies and the possibility of offering paid leave per fertility cycle.
Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about  how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.
Follow FMAW and access our free resources: 
Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newslettera...

Welcome to Series 3 of The F Word at Work where we'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.
In this episode, we are joined by Caroline Noublanche, the CEO and co-founder of the world’s first virtual fertility set-up called Apricity discussing the evolving landscape of fertility benefits, their importance, implementation challenges, and innovative solutions to support employees through their fertility journey.
What we discussed:
How Facebook was among the first to offer fertility benefits in 2014, followed by other tech giants like Google and Apple. Recently, companies in the UK, such as NatWest, Monzo, and Marks and Spencer, have also started offering these benefits.How FMAW’s work is to help organizations understand family-building challenges and support employees going through fertility treatments.Caroline explains the workings of fertility benefits explaining how they are compensation packages to support employees through their fertility journey.The workings of fertility benefits - how they can include health insurance coverage or cash allowances and are important for attracting and retaining talent, improving productivity, and promoting diversity and inclusion.How companies often inquire about the implementation, cost, and coverage of fertility benefits. The need to address misconceptions, such as the idea that offering egg-freezing benefits encourages women to prioritize their careers over family planning.How Apricity's virtual approach to fertility treatment minimizes disruption to a person's working day and providing constant support through its innovative technologies.How it can be both HR professionals who drive discussions around fertility benefits as well as employees with lived experience of fertility struggles who advocate for these benefits. The US is more advanced in offering fertility benefits, with about 40% of employers providing them. The UK is approximately three years behind but is gradually catching up, especially among large international companies.How organizations may be apprehensive about the cost of implementing fertility benefits, however, innovative approaches, such as utilization-based insurance and partnerships with insurance companies, can help alleviate financial burdens on employees.Fertility benefits extend beyond financial assistance. Virtual clinics like Apricity offer convenience, better outcomes, and reduced disruption to employees' lives, addressing physical, emotional, and financial aspects of fertility treatment.Both Fertility Matters at Work and Apricity offer educational workshops and resources to help organizations understand and implement fertility benefits effectively.
Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here.
Follow FMAW and access our free resources: 
Make sure you download our guidance here You can book a call to speak with us here.Find out more about our services and sign up for our newsletter here.a...