Staff in the Bristol office of global commercial property consultancy CBRE are to be among the first in the real estate sector to benefit as the firm makes strides to become a fertility-friendly employer.
It has become a member of Fertility Matters at Work (FMAW), a social enterprise consultancy and educational training provider that works with organisations to establish policies and resources that offer the best support to employees facing fertility challenges. 
CBRE said by raising awareness of the topic within the firm, it aimed to create a culture where employees feel supported, secure and valued.
Bristol-based CBRE Midlands and South managing director Tom Morris said the firm’s family-friendly benefits had played an important role in attracting new team members in the region and its partnership with FMAW would help it to build even further on this.
“We are reviewing our supportive policies and working with FMAW to run a range of awareness-raising events to build momentum in the first year of our partnership. From there, we will work closely with FMAW to determine our next steps,” he added.
CBRE’s dedication to becoming fertility-friendly accredited by FMAW emerged from the work done by its women and family networks and people team.
It showed that the stage of their lives when people want to grow their family often coincided with a crucial phase in their careers – so having a supportive and understanding workplace was essential to retain individuals, particularly women.
Tom said core to the firm’s diversity, equality and inclusion (DE&I) approach was creating a culture where everyone could thrive.
“Our work with FMAW allows us to listen, raise awareness and continuously improve the employee experience,” he added.
“We also see alignment to our culture, providing practical tools for people and building empathy and better behaviours.”
Fertility Matters at Work co-founder Natalie Silverman said the organisation was thrilled to be working with CBRE UK on its journey to become a fertility-friendly employer.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the company’s dedication to supporting its employees in their path to parenthood,” she added.
“Our partnership will empower CBRE UK to create an inclusive and understanding workplace for those navigating fertility challenges or family planning.
“We’re so proud to be a part of this transformative process and look forward to the positive impact it will have on employees at CBRE.”
New and enhanced benefits under the firm’s family-friendly policy include an extension of partner leave to 16 weeks at 100% base salary, applicable to any parent or co-parent involved in childcare responsibilities.
Additionally, a child care support scheme offers cash allowances for parents of associate director level and below with children aged one to two.
The company now provides a neonatal policy, accommodating early births, a fertility policy offering paid time off for appointments and up to four weeks for treatment recovery, and enhanced bereavement policies covering pregnancy and close family loss.
The world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE employs around 115,000 people in 450 offices worldwide, including eight in the UK.
It offers a broad range of integrated services spanning facilities, transaction and project management to property management and sales.
