Asos announces policies on miscarriage, fertility and more

Online retailer Asos has announced policies for those experiencing pregnancy loss, undergoing fertility treatment, going through menopause, undergoing cancer or other health treatment or having gender reassignment surgery.

The policies, which come into force today, are gender neutral and apply to all its employees regardless of who they are or their circumstances.

Nick Beighton, CEO, at Aos, said, “All of us face unexpected challenges in life, and sometimes these can create very difficult circumstances which mean we need to step away from or change how we work. We’ve launched these new policies to reassure all Asosers that they will continue to be supported, personally and financially, throughout those difficult times. We’re here, no matter what it is and every step of the way.”

On pregnancy leave, Asos employees will get 10 days of paid leave. The policy covers miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy and abortion and will apply to the individual who was pregnant, to those whose partner or surrogate was pregnant.

Those undergoing fertility treatment, or supporting a partner who is doing so, will get an additional five days paid leave per cycle so they can attend and recover from appointments. The leave, which is not limited to any number of cycles, is gender neutral and provides support across all types of family set-ups, including individuals, same sex couples, those using donors and surrogacy. The policy includes, but is not exhaustive to: in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), surrogacy and cryopreservation (egg freezing).

Asos says it will also provide ongoing support for appointments and flexible working as needed.

The company is also providing employees with up to six weeks of additional paid leave for other health or major life events, including as gender reassignment surgery, cancer treatment and escaping domestic abuse.

For those going through the menopause, Asos is also offering the ability to work flexibly, take short notice leave or request to work from home.

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