Q&A
Fertility Healthcare and Family-Forming Benefits: Jess Kulas’ Story
Supporting our people and their families to be at their best
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As part of our Boldly Moving Forward Strategy, we’re focused on intentionally building deep, trusting relationships for our people and nurturing our inclusive culture, including in how we approach wellbeing.
Wellbeing is foundational to everything we’re able to do and accomplish. We continually evaluate our wellbeing programs and benefits to best support our people – and we’re sharing stories of how these programs and tools are helping each of us individually be at our best, so we’re able to do more – together.
In this feature, we connected with Senior Communications Program Manager for Operations Management and Facilities Services Jess Kulas about her experience with Carrot Fertility (Carrot), our partner for global fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits.
Featured benefit:
Carrot, our partner to bring free and inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits to our teammates globally. This tool allows our people the opportunity to virtually chat with experts, explore educational resources, find a vetted provider and use employer-sponsored funds to pay for certain benefits. We’re providing support for understanding fertility health, adoption, assisted reproduction, pregnancy, surrogacy, menopause, low testosterone and more.
What prompted you to take advantage of this benefit?
I have spent recent years focused on my career and other priorities. But when I blow out my birthday candles each year, I can’t help but hear the constant tick of my biological clock. While I’ve had amazing life experiences, I haven’t focused on dating or finding a relationship conducive to starting a family.
I’d like to wait until I find the right partner to have a child with or get to a place where I’m comfortable pursuing single motherhood. I saw egg freezing as a way to take control of my biological clock and give myself the hope to be a mom when I’m ready.
How did it help?
Egg freezing is an extremely demanding process – financially, physically and emotionally. Financially, you’re responsible for the initial testing, medications, frequent monitoring appointments, the procedure itself and monthly preservation costs, all of which aren’t typically covered by insurance. Although having children one day is important to me, I have other expenses I want to prioritize and paying out of pocket for egg freezing is daunting.
When Jacobs introduced a $30,000-lifetime benefit for fertility healthcare through Carrot, it made the process obtainable. I didn’t think twice about signing up for Carrot as it allowed me to pursue egg freezing without the financial strain.
What did you like most?
Carrot empowered me to take a critical step on my path to parenthood. I may not need to use my eggs, but it’s nice to have that “insurance” should I need it.
Are you still using Carrot?
Yes, I am. With $30,000, I’m able to do multiple cycles to give myself the best shot of having more than one child. It’s nice to not worry about the financial component every time I call the doctor or head to the clinic for an appointment!
What do you want others to know?
A fertility journey is very personal and emotional. Carrot takes away the financial burden, covers a diverse list of expenses and lets you focus on yourself and your family.
“Being able to delay parenthood currently suits my personal plan. Carrot allows me to enjoy where I’m at in life without feeling shame or an urgency to marry the first person I find and start a family. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m proud of myself for going after what I want in life, and thankful for Jacobs giving me this option.”
Jess Kulas
Wellbeing at Jacobs
At Jacobs, the wellbeing of our people is fundamental to our success. When we’re each able to be well, our collective power is limitless.
A world where you can is only achievable when we’re each functioning at our highest abilities. We can’t be our true selves, get our work done, and develop and grow unless our ideal states of being are sustained. We embed wellbeing into all, so we’re able to deliver on our purpose – today and into the future.
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