As our focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues, we spoke with Kate Fishlock, the Chair of the Women’s Initiative Network – Elysium’s Women’s Employee Resource Group – about the group’s work on shaping policies and its future plans.
Membership of the Women’s Initiative Network is ever-growing. We aim to meet monthly, and historically, we’ve worked on developing the organisation’s menopause policy and developing a menopause resource pack. We have also opened a conversation on patients and the people we support, and developing a resource pack on menopause for those who use our services.
“At the moment, the focus we want to work on is fertility. We would like to develop a fertility policy in collaboration with our HR team so that support is there for colleagues, partners of colleagues, or a colleague who is a partner of someone undergoing fertility treatment.
“We want that support to be consistent, evidence-based and in line with the law and guidance. There have been many changes to the law in relation to people who are undergoing fertility treatment. That’s opened up some complex and courageous conversations around ‘what is fertility’, what that means, how that looks, and how we might respond as a line manager.
“We are really keen to include lived experience as part of that process, so we can start to talk about experiences. There is probably an unknown element to the subject, which might mean people feel less confident talking about it and responding to it. A lack of understanding and awareness of what fertility is, fertility treatment and differences could be very damaging, so it’s important we look at how we can raise awareness and talk more about the many wide ranging reasons a person or their partner may be undergoing fertility treatment, and what the differences of those treatments may be.
“We will aim to ensure there is consistency of good practice and leadership. This is something we’re very passionate about – having the right policies, practices and good practice in how to respond if it’s your colleague.
“Our next area of focus is likely to be around reproductive issues and health conditions, which are so under-researched. We are starting to open up those conversations about women’s health on that level.
“But it’s not just about women’s health. We are very mindful that the ERG should apply to all women. Health isn’t the only issue to raise. Our longer-term plan is to look at those other areas – we’ll be guided by what our members want us to explore.
“We would like as many members as possible so we can get out and start talking about the topics that matter most to the women of Elysium. Having those voices heard is key for driving what matters and shapes positive change.”
