Millennials make up about 35% of the US workforce. They are also the generation that fueled the Great Resignation. And though you may be hearing that more millennials are choosing not to have children than previous generations, a larger percentage of them either have children or plan to one day. In order to stay competitive and offer an inclusive and supportive work environment, it’s critical to consider benefits for these populations.
5 Things That Millennials Look for in a Fertility & Family-Friendly Company?
- Fertility benefits package: If 1 in 8 couples are struggling to get pregnant and 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, your company is missing the boat if you’re not offering benefits to support these employees. In order to best cater to the needs of your team, consider benefits that cover things like egg freezing, IVF treatment, and paid time off for a miscarriage loss.
- Supportive Culture: Emotional well-being both in and out of the office is important. For individuals trying to conceive, having a culture that recognizes that fertility is a top priority is a necessity. In addition to fertility medical benefits, do you have groups in place for employee support? Someone they can talk to when trying to conceive? Be sure these people/departments are well-trained and that their availability is clearly communicated to your whole team.
- Parental leave: The US falls far behind other developed countries when it comes to parental leave. Currently, families are offered 12 weeks of unpaid leave, which is not an option for many couples. The benefits of paid parental leave are numerous and can set your company apart from the rest when attracting talent.?
- Lactation support: When a breastfeeding parent returns to work, it’s required by law that they have a private, designated space (not a bathroom) in which to express milk. An exceptional employer will have a comfortable place established prior to the employee’s return and will allow for a flexible work schedule to support breastfeeding as long as the employee wishes.
- Flexible hours: A flexible work schedule is one of the top reasons a millennial will apply to a business and choose to stick around. The pandemic only served to double down on this priority. Allowing employees to work from home (even part time), conduct meetings over Zoom, and choose their own hours to accommodate the needs of their family (e.g. a 3PM departure to allow for child pick up) are all perks that may be even more valuable than a higher salary.
?How does your company stack up? If you’re falling short of the gold standard, it’s not too late to change course. Research your competitors that may be competing for talent, and begin to take steps to align with or even surpass their offerings. If you have to, start small and make just a few changes at a time. Set goals within your organization to reach that gold standard within 3-5 years, and get regular feedback from your employees and applicants to check your progress.?
?A fertility and family-friendly company is no longer just an option and should be viewed as a win for everyone involved.?
