Virgin Media O2 to fund gender transition treatment for trans and non-binary staff

Virgin Media O2 has become one of the first major British businesses to announcing funding for gender transitions for staff.

The recently merged telecoms company said it would provide funding for gender transition treatment for its transgender and non-binary employees.

Trans and non-binary employees will have access to “medical care, support and advice with work underway to develop and implement a comprehensive package of support,” the company said in a statement.

Virgin Media O2 couldn’t immediately say how many staff the policy change might affect. The company employs 17,500 people in the UK.

The move is part of the company’s new “All In” diversity and inclusion strategy, featuring a range of measures to “show greater support and allyship to people from marginalised communities.”

The company will gather more data on employee diversity information to improve recruitment practices, roll out workplace bias training, and fund mentoring programmes to support young people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

By 2027, the company has promised that 25% of staff and 15% of its leadership team will be from minority groups, while the wider leadership team will have an equal gender balance.

Philipp Wohland, chief people officer, said: “Virgin Media O2 is a great place to work and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Employers are under increasing scrutiny for their approach to diversity and the support they provide to employees of different genders and ethnic backgrounds, and employees who are disabled or neurodivergent.

Extending parental leave, removing gender-based language in employee communications and enabling flexible working are among popular policy changes being implemented.

Additional benefits offered to staff can also help companies attract or retain staff in what is a historically tight jobs markets.