E.ON Backs Call for Fairer Fertility Rights at Work and Signs the Fertility Support Pledge
•February 9, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
E.ON’s endorsement adds commercial weight to a pending law that could standardise paid fertility leave across the UK, while showcasing how progressive benefits attract and retain talent.
Key Takeaways
- •E.ON signs national Fertility Support Pledge
- •Offers unlimited paid fertility leave for all employees
- •Supports Fertility Treatment Bill for statutory paid time off
- •Provides Fertility Forum, ambassadors, and manager training
- •Recognized as Fertility Friendly Employer of the Year 2025
Pulse Analysis
Corporate attention to fertility support is moving from niche perk to strategic priority, as employers recognize the emotional and financial strain of treatments like IVF. E.ON’s comprehensive package—unlimited paid leave, flexible scheduling, and dedicated peer networks—sets a benchmark for gender‑neutral benefits that accommodate all family‑building paths, including surrogacy and LGBT+ parenting. By integrating a Fertility Journey Guide and digital learning modules, the company not only eases operational disruptions but also cultivates a culture of openness, reducing stigma around infertility in the workplace.
The legislative backdrop is equally significant. The Fertility Treatment (Right to Time Off) Bill, introduced under the Ten‑Minute Rule by MP Alice Macdonald, proposes a statutory right to paid leave for fertility appointments. Backed by charities and employer coalitions, the bill reflects mounting pressure on UK businesses to formalise support that is currently inconsistent. E.ON’s public pledge signals to policymakers that leading firms are ready to adopt the standards the bill codifies, potentially accelerating parliamentary momentum and encouraging broader industry compliance.
From a business perspective, robust fertility benefits translate into tangible talent advantages. In a competitive labour market, candidates increasingly evaluate employers on holistic wellbeing policies, and fertility support can be a differentiator for skilled professionals planning families. Moreover, inclusive benefits improve retention by mitigating the career‑family trade‑off that often drives turnover. As more firms emulate E.ON’s model, the sector may see a ripple effect: heightened employee engagement, reduced absenteeism during treatment cycles, and a stronger employer brand anchored in genuine inclusion.
E.ON backs call for fairer fertility rights at work and signs the Fertility Support Pledge
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E.ON has signed the national Fertility Support Pledge, backing cross‑party efforts to improve workplace rights for anyone undergoing fertility treatment.
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The commitment aligns with the Fertility Treatment (Right to Time Off) Bill, introduced by Alice Macdonald MP, which calls for statutory paid leave for fertility appointments.
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E.ON already provides industry‑leading fertility support, including unlimited paid fertility leave, flexible working, manager training and peer‑led networks such as the Fertility Forum.
E.ON has underlined its support for fairer workplace rights for people undergoing fertility treatment by signing the Fertility Support Pledge—a business‑led commitment urging employers to provide clearer, kinder and more consistent support for colleagues navigating through fertility journeys.
The move follows the presentation to Parliament of the Fertility Treatment (Right to Time Off) Bill under the Ten‑Minute Rule by Alice Macdonald MP (Norwich North), seeking a statutory right to paid time off for fertility treatment appointments.
Backed by leading charities and employer groups, the campaign encourages organisations across the UK to act now and help end the stigma and inconsistency many people face while navigating treatment and work.
Helen Bradbury, Chief People Officer at E.ON UK, said: “Growing a family should never mean having to choose between your career and the physical, emotional and financial realities of fertility treatment. We’re proud to sign the Fertility Support Pledge and to support efforts in Parliament to better recognise the impact fertility treatment can have at work. Our approach is simple: clear policy, compassionate flexibility and peer support, creating an environment where colleagues can focus on their wellbeing and feel genuinely supported throughout their journey.”
Alice Macdonald MP said: “I’m so pleased that E.ON has signed the Fertility Support Pledge, sending a powerful message to their employees and other businesses across the country. There is so much that needs to be done to overcome existing taboos around infertility and secure a change in the law but with the support of more businesses like E.ON we have an opportunity to make a really big difference for thousands of people.”
What the Fertility Support Pledge asks employers to do
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Offer time off for fertility appointments – through flexible working and/or paid time off, to accommodate unpredictable, clinically‑timed appointments.
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Clear policy and guidance – publish accessible policy so employees and managers understand entitlements and support from the outset.
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Awareness and peer support – appoint a Fertility Ambassador/Champion to foster open conversations, reduce stigma and help colleagues access support.
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Education and training for managers – equip line managers with practical training on the physical, emotional and financial impact of fertility treatment.
Fertility support at E.ON
As a long‑standing, family‑friendly employer, E.ON already provides a comprehensive, gender‑neutral support package for colleagues of all genders and sexual orientations, inclusive of LGBT+ families and surrogacy journeys, including:
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Unlimited paid fertility leave for both partners, alongside flexible working principles to support appointments, recovery and wellbeing.
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A Fertility Journey Guide for individuals and line managers—co‑created with colleagues with lived experience—covering IVF cycles, practical adjustments and support planning.
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The Fertility Forum (employee inclusion network) and Fertility Friends (colleagues with lived experience to listen and signpost further support) to share stories, signpost resources and reduce isolation.
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Partnership with Fertility Matters at Work; in 2024 E.ON was accredited as a Fertility Friendly Employer, and in 2025 was named Fertility Friendly Employer of the Year.
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The launch of a digital learning programme, created with E.ON’s Fertility Forum colleague network, that shares real fertility journeys to help colleagues understand the impacts and offer meaningful support.
E.ON colleague, Laura said: “Last year, I underwent an IVF treatment cycle in Spain and being able to use fertility leave to cover my absence from work, rather than relying on my limited annual leave, lifted a huge weight off my mind. Having access to fertility leave meant I could focus fully on my treatment without worrying about my inbox or trying to hold myself together on calls during what was an incredibly emotional and stressful time.
I felt genuinely grateful to work for such a flexible employer and to know that the fertility challenges I was facing were recognised by E.ON for what they are—complex and difficult, rather than something I was simply choosing to do.”
E.ON’s commitment to the Fertility Support Pledge builds on the progress outlined in our 2025 Inclusion Report: Powering Belonging, reinforcing the promise to create a workplace where every colleague feels supported, included and able to succeed.
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