At Merck caring for people is at the heart of everything we do. As a global science and technology company with a long-standing heritage in healthcare, we believe that supporting employees through life’s most important moments helps create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
We recognise that families come in many forms and that balancing work, caregiving responsibilities, and personal aspirations can be both rewarding and challenging. By fostering an inclusive and supportive culture, we aim to create an environment where employees feel valued not only for the work they do, but also for who they are and the lives they lead outside of work.
Our commitment to family inclusion is reflected in our flexible work practices, comprehensive parental leave benefits, wellbeing programs, and innovative family-support initiatives that help employees navigate important life stages with confidence and dignity. Merck’s strong family-friendly culture was recognised through our Family Friendly Workplace accreditation, which highlighted our commitment to leadership, workplace flexibility and employee wellbeing.
One initiative we are particularly proud of is Merck’s Global Fertility Benefit, launched globally in 2023 and introduced in Australia and New Zealand in 2024.
As a pioneer in fertility treatments for more than 60 years, supporting people on their path to parenthood aligns closely with our purpose and values. The Fertility Benefit provides financial support to employees and their partners undergoing fertility investigations and treatments, helping to reduce a significant barrier faced by many individuals hoping to start or grow their families. The program is available regardless of gender, sexual orientation, relationship status or family structure, ensuring all employees have equitable access to support.
The initiative goes beyond financial assistance. It is built upon principles of inclusion, privacy and confidentiality, providing employees with access to support in a way that respects the deeply personal nature of fertility journeys. Merck also complements the benefit with educational resources and wellbeing support through our employee health initiatives.
Since launch, the program has demonstrated significant global impact, supporting employees across 65 countries and generating strong uptake, reinforcing the importance of providing family-building support in the workplace.
Most importantly, the Fertility Benefit has strengthened our culture by creating open conversations around family planning, reducing stigma surrounding infertility, and demonstrating that Merck genuinely cares about employees throughout every stage of life.
The response from employees has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Fertility Benefit has created a strong sense of belonging and support for employees navigating what can often be an emotionally and financially challenging experience. Employees have told us they value not only the financial assistance, but the clear message that Merck understands and supports diverse paths to parenthood.
By offering meaningful support during a significant life journey, the initiative has helped reinforce trust in our people-first culture and contributes to employees feeling seen, understood and valued.
Creating a family-inclusive workplace delivers meaningful benefits for both employees and the organisation.
When employees feel supported through significant life events, they are more likely to be engaged, productive and committed to their employer. Family-friendly practices help create a culture of trust and belonging, strengthening employee wellbeing while improving attraction and retention of talent. Research underpinning the Family Friendly Workplaces framework also highlights the role family-inclusive workplaces play in supporting workforce participation, gender equality and work-life wellbeing.
At Merck, we’ve seen how family-focused initiatives contribute to:
Our Family Friendly Workplace accreditation journey has also encouraged us to continuously evaluate and enhance our policies and practices, ensuring we remain responsive to the evolving needs of our employees and their families.
“The fertility journey can be incredibly emotional and at times overwhelming. Knowing that Merck was beside us every step of the way made a huge difference. The Fertility Benefit eased the financial pressure and allowed us to focus on what mattered most, building our family. It showed me that Merck genuinely cares about its people, both inside and outside of work.”
Merck Employee, Australia
"Family-inclusive workplaces are not just an employee benefit, they are a business imperative. Today's workforce expects employers to support them across all stages of life, including the journey to parenthood. At Merck, we believe that when people feel supported in their family aspirations, they are empowered to bring their best selves to work. Our Fertility Benefit reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Family Friendly Workplace accreditation helps ensure we continue raising the bar and building a workplace where people, families and businesses succeed together."
