Merck India recently introduced a Fertility Benefit program for its employees globally. The company aims to support its employees, who need to balance their personal and professional goals, especially when it comes to family planning.
The company is a major player in the global life sciences industry and sets new standards for its employees. Currently, it offers financial and emotional assistance to both males and females and their spouses looking for fertility treatments. Till now, infertility is a taboo subject not just in India but across the world, and people are still reluctant to talk about it.
Merck India is playing a pivotal role in providing a wide range of fertility preservation treatments, including IVF and IUI, to its employees and their spouses to ease the pressure on women to follow strict time frames for birth. Kumar emphasizes, “This financial support recognizes the complexities and costs associated with these treatments. It is capped at Rs 10 lakh”.
The ‘Fertility Benefit Program’ is designed with in-depth research and thorough knowledge of how the workforce is changing globally. Shiv Kumar, Director of HR at Merck India, said, “Our leaky bucket concern, meaning women drop out at senior levels, made us realize we needed to do more.”
“The program’s goal is to give employees the support they need to balance their private and professional goals, especially regarding family planning,” he added.
Merck India goes beyond conventional channels to break down this sensitive and taboo subject. The arranging panel talks with medical professionals and those who have experienced infertility. According to Kumar, “The volume of questions we received demonstrates employees’ desire to learn and discuss these issues openly.” The employee assistance program provides easy access to counselling support, emphasizing the importance of mental health.
A fundamental component of the program is inclusivity. Recognizing the stigma associated with male infertility. Kumar highlighted, “This move sets a positive shift in societal norms.” All employees are eligible for the program, which is gender-neutral regardless of gender identity.
Merck will monitor general well-being, attrition rates, and engagement. “The program’s ability to translate into heightened engagement and increased organizational stickiness will serve as the program’s key performance indicator,” adds Kumar.
The program, which debuted in late 2023, is already gaining popularity. Due to strict access controls, only two levels of the organization handle sensitive information since confidentiality is paramount.
Merck India plans to grow in the future in an effort to change legislation pertaining to assisted reproduction and make the program more gender-neutral. They are also planning to extend the same benefit to the LGBTQ community when the laws are set, simultaneously demonstrating their dedication to changing policies to accommodate the varied requirements of their workforce.
In conclusion, Kumar revealed, “This program is just not a policy but a beacon of support and understanding, signalling a shift towards a more empathetic and inclusive workplace.” The company is continuously re-inventing its employee-friendly policies while establishing a new benchmark for corporate compassion and diversity in India.
