Stephenson Harwood launches pregnancy loss policies

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Stephenson Harwood LLP has launched global fertility and pregnancy loss policies for its employees. All partners and global employees can benefit from the policy which aims to emotionally support people through their parenthood journey.

The policy isn’t just available to those who are undergoing treatment or have experienced pregnancy loss, the firm also wants to offer support to “those whose partners are undergoing investigations or treatments” because they “recognise the impact on them too.”

Suzanne Johnston, sponsor partner at Stephenson Harwood said: "Fortunately, many line managers and supervising partners have taken a compassionate and understanding approach to fertility challenges and pregnancy loss at the firm.

But that's not enough; it is vital to let our people know what they can expect from the firm, as a minimum, in terms of holistic support and paid leave for fertility challenges and pregnancy loss."

Stephenson Harwood LLP is a law firm with over 1,100 people worldwide that places the wellbeing of its employees “at the heart of” its business and this policy reflects that.

Post-pandemic, we saw a rise in law firms introducing wellbeing schemes, for example in 2021, we reported that Cooley LLP began offering all partners and staff £45,000 for fertility treatment. Similarly, magic circle law firm Clifford chance revealed an extension to its health insurance, which will cover fertility treatment up to a cost of £15,000.

In that same year, Clifford Chance also announced its partnership with Peppy, a digital healthcare and wellbeing platform available to support people “during major life transitions – menopause, fertility and parenthood” – whether they’re in the office or at home.

Plus, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner revealed that it is offering a £15,000 ‘assisted fertility’ allowance in addition to personalised wellbeing support for those trying to conceive.