In the first quarter of 2025, we expanded our employee support offering by launching our Fertility Policy and receiving recognition as a Fertility Friendly Employer by Fertility Matters at Work. This accreditation showcases our commitment to supporting our employees through their fertility journeys and demonstrates the culture of inclusive, holistic support available. Chief People Officer Harriet Shurville told us more about our journey to accreditation and the culture she and her team has created.

 

Why is it important for companies to support employees across their fertility journeys?

For some, the journey to starting or expanding a family can be an emotionally and physically exhausting – and often very long – process. We want our employees to be aware of the range of support available to them, as that is one less thing to think about when facing challenges of this magnitude.

We believe that it is hugely important to foster an open and inclusive culture. By Publicly sharing and committing to our Fertility Policy we’re acknowledging that all journeys to starting or growing a family are unique. We want our employees to know that we understand and acknowledge the toll that undergoing fertility treatment can take, and that we are there to support them with whatever they need.

 

How can the fertility journey impact the employee experience?

One of the biggest impacts that a fertility journey can have on the employee experience is time. Taking time away from work for appointments, procedures, or to manage the mental load can be unpredictable and stressful, and that is before considering the needs of clients and the business. We want our employees to be able to prioritize their health and their families during these times, with the knowledge that they are fully backed by their managers and the business to do so.

 

Why did you decide to formalize our approach by creating a Fertility Policy and what was the approach to developing it?

We understood the importance of having a formal Fertility Policy for several reasons, including normalizing conversations in the workplace around reproductive health and the journey to starting a family. It also ensures that managers, colleagues, and our People Team are aligned on the support options and resources that are available, streamlining the process to accessing resources.

Whilst we do want to normalize conversations as much as possible, we also don’t want to put our people in a position where they may feel uncomfortable asking for information. By setting out options in a central policy, we give employees the ability to self-serve information, helping them to keep their planning private until they are ready to share.

Another benefit of creating our Policy is that we have been accredited as a Fertility Friendly workplace by Fertility Matters at Work. By signposting that we are an employer who actively invests in our teams’ wellbeing and health, we can ensure throughout the employee journey that the topic of fertility is not a taboo, and that support is available at every stage of their journey.

 

 

How does our approach to fertility align with our mission to make EVERY PATIENT POSSIBLE?

EVERY PATIENT POSSIBLE is the mission that guides us at Avalere Health, and our employees are included in that. For us to live and breathe this ethos, we need to support every person – and we are committed to ensuring that our teams are equipped with the resources and information to make the healthcare decisions that are right for them and their families. By creating an environment where every individual in our business can thrive, we are ensuring that our people are best equipped to tackle the biggest problems in healthcare.

 

What role can organizations play in supporting their employees?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to support, so we have developed an ecosystem of options that our employees can access at any point in their career journey with us. Our Fertility Policy offers support with time off, access to our Employee Assistance Program, and information on financial aid, and our partner organizations offer specialized health and access support. Around these programs, we have also committed to fostering an inclusive and open culture that emphasizes wellness.

Our six Employee Network Groups – Gender, Family, LGBTQ+, Diverse Ability, Race & Ethnicity, and Mental Health – offer an opportunity for our team members across the globe to connect with their peers on issues that matter to them. These groups run a range of programs to drive education, connection, and awareness, giving all employees a chance to deepen their understanding of issues impacting their colleagues. Each group is sponsored and attended by a member of our Global Leadership Team, demonstrating the commitment from our most senior colleagues to fostering an environment where every employee can truly be themselves and thrive.

We also have a vast library of resources available on our intranet for employees to access at any time and have an open line of communication to our People Partners – key members of our People team who can advise, signpost resources, and facilitate access to support – as well as our Mental Health First Aiders and Fertility Champions.

 

Why is it important to ensure policies and language are inclusive when talking about fertility?

We know that there are many different routes to parenthood, and to make assumptions about how any individual is getting there is to do a disservice to them and their unique circumstances. Fertility challenges can impact individuals and families of all genders and circumstances, and our inclusive approach to support ensures that regardless of an individual’s situation, we will endeavour to match them to the services and resources they need. The path to parenthood can affect anyone. It’s not just a women’s issue – it’s a people issue.

Our Fertility Policy acknowledges circumstances including but not limited to: those faced with challenges in starting or expanding their family, including LGBTQ+ people; solo parents who want to start or expand their family; those in a surrogacy arrangement, and individuals who are supporting a partner on their fertility journey.

It is of the highest importance to us to work with third-party support and suppliers that share our dedication to equality and celebrating the diversity of our teams. Peppy, an expert support platform available to our employees, is committed to providing affirming, personalized support for individuals and families of all genders and identities.

 

What else is Avalere Health doing to support people with their reproductive health?

We are in the process of developing policies around menopause and menstruation, using the success of our Fertility Policy as the blueprint. We understand that these life stages can offer some additional challenges that may impact many of our employees, and we want to be sure that our culture supports both asking for and providing that extra support when needed. Whilst we finalize those policies, our extensive resource library covers topics including but not limited to menstruation, menopause, fertility, mental health, parenting, and many more, and our healthcare provision offers access to medical and mental health support if needed.

Our flexible hybrid working also allows our employees to work in a way that works for them, with our office hubs acting as a magnet to collaborate in person, but with no mandate to return to in-person work. This allows our employees to manage their time and their location in a way that best supports any symptoms they may experience, appointments they may need to attend, or any other ways to support their health.

 

What is your advice for organizations looking to start supporting their employees across their fertility journeys?

Be led by your employees. Our Employee Network Groups have been instrumental in supporting, defining, and launching this policy: we held a kick-off event to introduce this policy where several of our employees spoke about their fertility journeys and the impact of treatment on them. Additionally, our partnership with Fertility Matters at Work has supported us immensely on our journey towards a fertility-friendly culture. They have been a great support, whilst also ensuring that our approach is guided by the unique needs of our people and our business.

It is also crucial that the policy and approach is embraced by leadership. Not only does it make the policy and position more visible, but it also communicates a clear message: you, your health and your family are important to us, and we will support you in your journey.