German bank Deutsche Bank has been awarded fertility-friendly employer accreditation by Fertility Matters at Work, as reported by Employee Benefits, giving HR teams in financial services a benchmark for fertility policy, manager training and peer support. 

Deutsche Bank is a German banking group whose UK and Ireland operations received the accreditation, supported by its dbGO Fertility Pillar, according to Employee Benefits. Financial figures are not included in the announcement.

Fertility Matters at Work is a UK-based certified social enterprise and training provider for fertility support in the workplace, founded in 2020 by three former fertility patients with more than 35 years of combined HR experience, according to its website and the CPD Standards Office.

The strategic logic is cultural, not just policy-based. Employee Benefits reported that the accreditation reflects the bank’s belief that fertility is a workplace matter as well as a personal one, and that an inclusive culture means supporting employees through all of life’s experiences.

The structural driver is manager capability. According to Employee Benefits, Deutsche Bank was recognised for accessible policies and guidance, equipping managers to support their teams, raising awareness and connecting employees with wellbeing resources.

The bank’s support covers employees undergoing fertility treatment, experiencing infertility or loss, exploring alternative routes to parenthood, or supporting a partner, friend or colleague, according to Employee Benefits.

A Deutsche Bank spokesperson said in a statement reported by Employee Benefits: “While achieving fertility-friendly employer accreditation is an important milestone, it is only one step on an ongoing journey.”

Fertility Matters at Work research found that 99% of employees see fertility treatment as a significant life event, but only 36% felt it was recognised at work, according to its website.

The organisation’s research also found that 61% of employees fear telling their employer about treatment, and that 36% of those going through treatment have left or considered leaving their organisation due to lack of support, according to its policy guidance.

For the sector, the accreditation shows a large employer pairing accessible policies with manager training and peer networks to support employees through fertility journeys, according to Employee Benefits.