ASOS launches new policies to support staff health-related life events

Online fashion giant ASOS has today announced the launch of a new package of policies to provide crucial support to colleagues of all genders and circumstances going through health-related life events.

These new policies provide support to any ASOS staff member experiencing life events including pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, menopause or wider health related life events that require paid leave, such as cancer treatment or gender reassignment surgery.

This new policy framework aims to help staff feel comfortable taking time away from work that they need, whilst also increasing awareness of the impact of such common life events and breaking down taboos around these issues.

The policies, which come into effect today, are gender neutral, and apply to everyone regardless of who they are or their circumstances.

Nick Beighton, ASOS CEO, said, “All of us face unexpected challenges in life, and sometimes these can create very difficult circumstances which mean we need to step away from or change how we work. We’ve launched these new policies to reassure all ASOSers that they will continue to be supported, personally and financially, throughout those difficult times. We’re here, no matter what it is and every step of the way.”

Ten days paid leave for individuals that are dealing with pregnancy loss

ASOS has introduced a policy by which colleagues who suffer a pregnancy loss will be able to take ten days paid leave. The policy covers miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy and abortion and will apply to the individual that was pregnant, to those whose partner was pregnant, or if it was a surrogate pregnant on their behalf.

Additional leave for colleagues undergoing fertility treatment

For staff who are undergoing fertility treatment, or are supporting a partner who is doing so, the business is providing an additional five days paid leave per cycle so they can attend and recover from appointments.

This leave, which is not limited to any number of cycles, is gender neutral and provides support consistently across all types of family set ups, including individuals, same sex couples, those using donors and surrogacy, so they can focus on their own health and wellbeing away from work.

Up to six weeks paid leave for a range of wider health-related and other life events

Recognising that there are various health-related life events that may result in a colleague needing time away from work to recover and recuperate, ASOS will also provide colleagues with up to six weeks of additional paid leave for those who need it. These situations, such as gender reassignment surgery, cancer treatment and escaping domestic abuse are often not spoken about openly.

Flexible working to support colleagues going through the menopause

To support all individuals who are going through the menopause, recognising that it is not just cisgender women, ASOS is offering the ability to work flexibly, take short notice leave or request to work from home.