Central Co-op to become a ‘Fertility Friendly’ employer

Central Co-op has partnered with the social enterprise educational training provider Fertility Matters at Work, as it works towards becoming a Fertility Friendly employer.

The training provider aims to implement policy-backed best practices when supporting colleagues experiencing fertility challenges.

In addition to undertaking the training provided by Fertility Matters at Work, Central Co-op has launched two new policies, ‘Fertility Treatment’ and ‘Pregnancy Loss’, which outline the support and guidance employees will be given during these events.

With support from the fertility organisation, two more webinars will be hosted this year to help embed Central Co-op’s new policies, including a webinar on Pride month in June, and later in the year, a webinar on pregnancy and baby loss.

Naomi Smith, inclusion and wellbeing manager at Central Co-op, said: “Giving colleagues the support when they need it most will create a workplace where wellbeing is nourished and protected.

“By encouraging the conversation on these topics, we’ll create a more inclusive workplace where everyone feels they can be themselves. When you get wellbeing and inclusion right, colleague engagement and retention naturally follow.”

She added: “At Central Co-op, we care about the wellbeing of our colleagues and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. By listening to our colleagues, we understood the need for more support for colleagues impacted by fertility treatment and pregnancy loss.”

Natalie Silverman, co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work, said: “We’re really excited to have Central Co-op on board, working with us to become a Fertility Friendly organisation.

“It’s incredibly positive that Central Co-op is dedicated to supporting their employees through launching their two new policies, and it’s even greater that they’re backing up these policies by gaining the knowledge required to implement them by undertaking our Fertility Friendly accreditation.”

She added: “We’re looking forward to working with the Central Co-op team in continuing the conversation with their two upcoming educational webinars.”