Welcome to our last epsiode of 2024, which is another 'How to support a colleague' episode and this time hears two of our co-founders in conversation. Natalie speaks with Becky about her route to parenthood. Becky, who is also the founder of Paths to Parenthood, shares her personal journey through egg donation and the unique challenges she faced at work during that time.

Becky’s story provides invaluable insights for HR professionals, managers, and colleagues who want to create a supportive and understanding environment.

Here’s what we discuss:

• Becky shares up her decision to pursue egg donation after multiple rounds of IVF and a miscarriage. She talks about the emotional complexities of grieving the loss of using her own eggs while embracing a new path to parenthood.

• From handling unpredictable schedules to dealing with well-meaning but challenging questions, Becky reflects on how she managed work commitments while undergoing egg donation treatment abroad.

• We discuss how well-intentioned comments, like questions about resemblances or the use of terms like “real mum,” can be triggering for those navigating donor conception. Becky offers advice on how colleagues can approach these topics with sensitivity and respect.

• Becky highlights the importance of workplace policies that recognize donor conception and other alternative paths to parenthood. Even a simple acknowledgment in HR policies can make employees feel seen and supported.

• We discuss the importance of emotional support and peer networks for those navigating donor conception, as it’s often a deeply personal and stigmatized journey.

• We talk through the impact of cultural and societal stigmas on donor conception and how workplaces can play a role in shifting narratives and creating a more inclusive environment.

• Becky and Natalie also take a moment to reflect on the highlights of the year, from hosting our F Word at Work Live event during Fertility Week to launching new resources and campaigns that continue to drive awareness around workplace fertility.

A huge thank you to Apricity for sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. Apricity is the world’s first virtual fertility clinic, offering at-home testing and scans, with minimal in-person appointments. To learn more about their inclusive fertility care solutions for employees, visit apricityfertility.com.

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In this episode of The F Word at Work, we welcome Shaun Greenaway, known as @knackered_knackers, a male fertility advocate, coach and podcaster as well as being part of our amazing speaker community at Fertility Matters at Work.

Shaun has been doing an incredible job over the last few years in raising awareness of the challenges that so many men face when dealing with family building challenges. In the last year, he's had amazing coverage within the mainstream media as you'll hear him mention and his podcast The Male Fertility Podcast is providing much needed support for men struggling to find the support they need. In this chat, we discuss the challenges he faced and the importance of open conversations about men's health in the workplace.

Here’s a glimpse into our conversation:

• Shaun recounts his diagnosis of azoospermia and the emotional and physical hurdles he encountered during his fertility journey.
• He explores how societal expectations can affect men's mental health and the significance of addressing these issues openly.
• We discuss how to deal with the festive season and the expectation of drinking, how to set boundaries to protect yourself with both friends and family.
• Shaun offers practical advice for employers and colleagues on creating a supportive environment for men dealing with fertility challenges.
• He discusses how platforms like Instagram have been instrumental in connecting men and fostering support networks.
• Shaun emphasizes the importance of initiating conversations about male fertility to reduce stigma and promote understanding.

Thank you for joining us for this important discussion. We hope you find these insights helpful in fostering a supportive workplace culture.

Thank you to Apricity who are sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To find out about more about  how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care please get in touch with its expert corporate team here. 

We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.

Stay Connected:

Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources:

Download our guidance here.

You can book a call to speak with us here.

Explore our services and subscribe to our newsletter here.

Join our vibrant community on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Follow and engage with us to be part of the movement towards fertility-friendly workplaces.

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work! Today, I’m excited to welcome Mel Johnson, the founder of The Stork and I, to the podcast. Mel has been a regular speaker within our community and spoke at The F Word at Work Live summit and she has is part of our amazing community of speakers we bring into organisations to showcase the many routes to parenthood.

In this episode, we continue our series on how to support colleagues through specific paths to parenthood. Mel shares valuable insights from her own journey as a solo mum and addresses the fears and challenges that arise in the workplace when navigating solo parenthood.

Here’s what we cover in our conversation:

• Mel discusses her experience entering solo parenthood and how the awareness around this topic in HR has evolved over the years. She reflects on the lack of understanding and support she encountered at the start of her journey.
• We dive into the various fears individuals face when revealing their solo parenthood journey to colleagues and managers, including concerns about judgment and the pressure to maintain career stability while managing personal choices.
• Mel emphasizes the importance of reframing societal perceptions of parenthood and challenges the traditional narrative that couples must be involved to create a family. She encourages a shift in language that empowers solo parents rather than evoking sympathy.
• We discuss the significance of building a strong support network as a solo parent and how to navigate conversations with colleagues about family structures that differ from the traditional norm.
• Mel highlights the unique challenges solo parents face in balancing work commitments with childcare responsibilities, particularly as some organizations revert to requiring in-office attendance.
• We explore strategies for managers and colleagues to create an inclusive environment that recognizes various family forms, ensuring open dialogues and understanding.
• The importance of continued dialogue about different paths to parenthood is emphasized, encouraging workplaces to acknowledge and adapt to the diverse experiences of their employees.

Mel's insights serve as a crucial reminder of the need for understanding and empathy in workplace conversations about solo parenthood and family-building challenges.

A special thanks to Apricity for sponsoring this series of The F Word at Work. To learn more about how they can support your employees with inclusive fertility care, connect with their expert corporate team here. We’d love your support and feedback, so please hit follow and leave a review in your podcast app!

If you are reading this before 20th November 2024, there's still time to register for our next webinar here

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Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources:

Download our guidance here.

You can book a call to speak with us here.

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