Kellogg's Ireland will give more workplace assistance to staff experiencing the menopause and will train managers on how to talk to staff about the subject.
There will also be extra paid time off and support for fertility treatment and pregnancy loss, including for partners and those using a surrogate mother, the company said.
In a raft of new measures, the cereal giant, which employs 300 people in its European head office in Dublin, said that it wants to break the silence on issues that are often not discussed in the workplace.
Staff Training
Kellogg's said it has committed to training its people managers on the menopause, to deepen understanding on the subject and to support team members impacted with workplace adjustments, such as increased flexible working and occupational health support.
Pregnancy loss effects many people, with an estimated one in five pregnancies ending in miscarriage.
The company said it will give paid leave, without the need for a doctor’s note, to impacted employees including partners and those using a surrogate mother.
Managers will be trained to recognise that time off for appointments relating to pregnancy loss will not be possible to arrange around the demands of work and flexibility will be important.
“We want to offer employees increased support for those often-taboo issues like the menopause, fertility and pregnancy loss," said Sam Thomas-Berry, Kellogg Europe VP, human resources. "Many people experience these issues, and the impact can be both physical and mental, but they aren’t discussed widely in the workplace. That’s why we’re launching several new workplace policies for even better equity and inclusion at Kellogg’s."
Policy Package
According to Kellogg's, the policy package will also include support for staff going through fertility treatment, whether that is for themselves or a partner, and it will be regardless of length of service.
To support treatment, the company said that it will give employees three periods of leave each year.
They will be given access to a private space to administer treatment if necessary.
"We want to create a culture where people feel psychologically safe, so we will encourage colleagues to be allies to others impacted by these issues,” Sam added.
Flexible working and a free counselling helpline is available to all Kellogg’s staff and will be encouraged for people experiencing these issues.
© 2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more A-Brands news, click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
