“Things I wish people knew…”
Supportive Practice:
Conversations with members of the childless community identified the following examples of supportive steps that a workplace can take:
If someone is TTC (trying to conceive), are policies supportive?
Staff undergoing fertility treatment may be required to take sick leave or annual leave for appointments & recovery time. This can result in work/life balance being even more difficult to achieve during an emotionally & physically demanding time. Also consider what an employee might need if treatment is unsuccessful.
More awareness (especially in all female teams) of how making children / motherhood the focus of team “chat” can result in childless staff members feeling side-lined.
If a team member is visiting to introduce their new baby, consider facilitating this away from the main / open plan office. This enables existing staff to have choice regarding their involvement. If this isn’t possible, arranging a specific time can again facilitate choice.
On a similar note, recognition that not all team members will feel able to / want to attend “baby showers” or similar such events.
Ensure that policies & practices are inclusive of staff members with caring responsibilities not involving parenthood. It is not uncommon, for example, for a care package to be cancelled or changed with little notice. How might this impact a member of your team?
Everyone’s lives, inside & outside of work, matter.
Further Information
World Childless Week – Further information about childlessness in the workplace and creating positive change can be found on the website
University of Bath – Childlessness in the workplace – opening a conversation (awareness raising event)
University of Bath – Supporting employees who are childless not by choice (information & resources)
BBC – Do Companies lean harder on non-parents? (article)
