Britain: online bank Monzo creates paid leave for ART procedures

On 10 May, UK online bank Monzo announced that employees undergoing fertility procedures, as well as their partners, will be able to access an additional 8 days of paid leave per year. Employees can use the time to attend appointments, undergo tests, rest, and recover emotionally after a procedure. A support group comprising employees who have undergone ART treatment has also been set up, and Monzo has planned to enhance the psychological support available for employees via its Mental Health First Aid program. This policy, which has already been in effect for about two months and which should be deployed in its US branch within 6 to 8 weeks, also includes another new paid leave that recognizes any loss during pregnancy. Very similar to Channel 4’s leave introduced in April by (c.f. article No.12492), the policy provides 10-days of leave for those experiencing abortion and miscarriage and is also intended for partners and those taking up surrogacy alternatives. Monzo, which employs about 1,600 people, said these decisions were part of its new global mental health policy, after its founder and former CEO Tom Blomfield resigned in January and revealed that he was suffering from stress and anxiety.