Fertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Program
The Westpac Group is renowned for its commitment to employee wellbeing. They offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and support programs, consistently ranking high in Diversity and Inclusion, Gender Equity and Sustainability awards. This dedication to fostering a supportive work environment extends to recognising the profound impact of pregnancy loss.
Fertility and Pregnancy Loss Support
The road to parenthood isn't always easy. One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, a devastating reality for many. For others, the path is entirely different - biological pregnancy may not be an option, leading to exploration of adoption or surrogacy. Even seemingly smooth journeys can be derailed by unforeseen circumstances.
This emotional rollercoaster often goes unseen. Many employees grapple with infertility or pregnancy loss in silence, fearing to share their struggles in the workplace.
Without specialised training, leaders are often unprepared to address the emotional and practical needs of employees experiencing this loss. The unexpected nature of the event can leave both employees and managers feeling overwhelmed at what is a really difficult time. Westpac recognised a need for a specialised program to support employees, their partners and their leaders.
"At Westpac Group, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected and safe. Supporting employees during moments that matter in their lives is the right thing to do and its key to ensuring we have an engaged and supported workforce. This program helps us recognise and support our employees during one of the most challenging experiences they will face."
Method
To ensure the program's effectiveness, Westpac implemented the following strategies:
- Communication Campaign: Launching an internal communication campaign to raise awareness about the program, its benefits, and how to access it. This involved using various channels like email, intranet announcements, and manager training sessions.
- Confidentiality and Accessibility: Emphasising the program's complete confidentiality and offering flexible scheduling options to accommodate employee needs. This could include sessions outside regular work hours or via phone/video conferencing.
- Manager Training: Providing training for managers on how to identify signs of distress in employees who may have experienced pregnancy loss, and how to navigate conversations offering support and directing them to the program.
Solution
Westpac partnered with Transitioning Well to implement the tailored Fertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Program. Our program offers specialised psychological support to employees and their partners who have experienced pregnancy loss. All sessions are conducted by registered psychologists with expertise in this sensitive area.
The program adopts a tiered approach, providing different levels of support based on individual needs:
- Tier 1: Early Support: Designed for early pregnancy loss, offering 1-2 support sessions for the affected individual.
- Tier 2: Medium Support: For those who lose a pregnancy after announcement, this tier provides 1-3 sessions for the individual and a support session for their team leader, equipping them to manage the situation effectively.
- Tier 3: Critical Support: This tier caters to later pregnancy loss or situations where the loss occurs within the workplace. It offers 1-3 sessions for the individual, a support session for the team leader, and a dedicated team debrief session to foster understanding and support within the team.
"Transitioning Well bring both expertise and care to the program, which is why we trust them to support our employees during such challenging and vulnerable life events. The support they provide our employees who experience infertility or pregnancy loss is confidential, respectful and non-judgmental. The different tiers of support mean the program is accessible to all employees and is tailored to their situation."
Impact
Through our ongoing collaboration with Westpac, we continue to provide support for employees facing the challenging intersection of personal and professional life. The Fertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Program offers customised support to each participant, extending not only to the individual but also to their partner and team leader. This creates a ripple effect, fostering a supportive work environment from leadership down and ensuring Westpac's employees feel supported during this difficult time.
- By implementing the Fertility and Pregnancy Loss Support Program, Westpac demonstrates its commitment to employee wellbeing and acknowledges the profound impact of pregnancy loss.
- This program offers employees crucial support during a difficult time, potentially reducing stress and improving their ability to cope with their loss.
- Additionally, the program equips team leaders with the necessary resources to manage these situations effectively, fostering a more supportive and understanding work environment.
- The program's success reinforces Westpac's position as a leader in employee wellbeing.
"We’ve received positive feedback from employees who are proud to work for an organisational that offers this level of a recognition and support. While we have paid leave available for employees undergoing fertility treatment and those who experience pregnancy loss, stillbirth or early pregnancy loss, with Transitioning Well we are able to give people more than time off, providing valuable wellbeing support when it matters most."
How can we help you?
Our national team of psychologists bring evidence-based approaches, tailored tactics, and extensive research to the table which allows us to support your people at the intersection where work meets life. To find out more about our parenting, pregnancy loss and fertility support workplace programs click here. Or get in touch with our team.