CBRE UK has become the first real estate firm to join Fertility Matters at Work (FMAW) as part of their drive to become a fertility friendly employer.
Working with the social enterprise consultancy and educational training provider, will enable CBRE to establish policies and resources that offer the best support to colleagues facing fertility challenges.
By raising awareness of the topic within the firm, CBRE aims to create a culture where employees feel supported, secure, and valued.
Head of CBRE’s Southampton office, James Brounger said: “Creating a culture where everyone can thrive is essential to the success of any business. Our new partnership with FMAW, which is a first for the commercial property sector, will allow us to listen, raise awareness and continuously improve the employee experience.”
Natalie Silverman, co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with CBRE UK in their journey to become a Fertility Friendly employer. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the company’s dedication to supporting its employees in their path to parenthood. Our partnership will empower CBRE UK to create an inclusive and understanding workplace for those navigating fertility challenges or family planning.”
CBRE’s dedication to becoming Fertility Friendly accredited™️ derived from the work done by its Women and Family Networks and People team, which identified that the time when people are wanting to grow their families, is often a crucial phase in their careers and having a supportive and understanding workplace is essential in order to retain individuals, particularly women.
CBRE already has a Family Friendly policy in action. However, policy names have been updated to make them gender-neutral and inclusive of diverse paths to parenthood. The company is committed to reviewing these policies and benefits every two years.
New and enhanced benefits under their Family Friendly policy include an extension of partner leave to 16 weeks at 100% base salary, applicable to any parent or co-parent involved in childcare responsibilities. Additionally, a Child Care Support Scheme offers cash allowances for parents of Associate Director level and below with children aged one to two. The company now provides a NeoNatal policy, accommodating early births, a Fertility policy offering paid time off for appointments and up to four weeks for treatment recovery, and enhanced bereavement policies covering pregnancy and close family loss.
Notably, CBRE UK employees are eligible for six months of paid leave after six months of employment, without payback obligations, if they don’t return or leave within six months of resuming work. These improvements reflect CBRE’s commitment to supporting its employees through various life stages and family needs.
To educate businesses and raise awareness of how fertility issues affect their employees, Fertility Matters at Work (FMAW) is on a mission to find the first 100 UK companies to commit to becoming Fertility-friendly employers.
