Multinational food manufacturing company Kellogg’s has announced that it will be giving its staff fertility, menopause and miscarriage leave.
In an effort to make staff feel more “psychologically safe” at work, Kellogg’s has announced that its 1,500 employees at two factories will now have access to paid leave if they experience the loss of a pregnancy or are undergoing fertility treatment or menopause. The measure will affect staff who work at factories in Trafford and Wrexham.
The BBC reports the news comes as MPs are set to vote on a private members’ bill later. If passed, the bill would make hormone replacement therapy free for anyone going through menopause in England.
According to a Kellogg’s spokesperson, managers will be taught how to discuss menopause, pregnancy loss, and the time that will be given to workers who just experienced pregnancy loss. They will be given the time without having to provide a doctor’s note.
Sam Thomas-Berry, the firm’s Europe vice president in human resources, said the company was “launching several new workplace policies for even better equity and inclusion.”
“Many people experience these issues, and the impact can be both physical and mental, but they aren’t discussed widely in the workplace,” she said. “We want to create a culture where people feel psychologically safe, so we’ll encourage colleagues to be allies to others impacted by these issues.”
