New survey shows 96.6% agree that employees should have a right to paid time off for fertility treatment, just like they would have for antenatal appointments
Today, Wednesday 13 March, Nickie Aiken MP is bringing together employers and fertility charities to Parliament - as almost 50 companies have signed up to her Fertility Workplace Pledge.
The pledge is a set of simple and voluntary commitments for employers to sign up to voluntarily, and is designed to benefit millions of individuals and couples going through fertility treatment.
Around 3.5 million people in the UK are struggling to conceive naturally (1) and treatment such as IVF is emotionally draining and costly with risks of complications. Juggling treatment and work is tough with many forced to deal with side effects, risk of complications and day-to-day practicalities in silence. Figures show that more than a third (36%) of people going through treatment have considered quitting their job (2).
As of this week, almost 50 companies have signed up, including major employers such as Nationwide, Centrica, Unilever, Co-op, AutoTrader, Metro Bank, NatWest, Aldi, Cadent Gas, and the House of Commons.
In conjunction with the workplace pledge, Nickie has introduced a Bill in Parliament which aims to give individuals and couples the statutory right to take time off for fertility treatment, just like they would have for antenatal appointments. The Bill’s second reading is expected later this summer.
In a new report, 'The Impact of Fertility Challenges in the Workplace', a recent survey (3) of 1,890 people showed 96.6% agree with the Bill’s primary aim — that employees should have a right to paid time off for fertility treatment appointments like they do for antenatal appointments.
In a sign that societal views towards fertility are changing, 93% agreed that fertility treatment is a legitimate medical need rather than a lifestyle choice; 95% agreed that all individuals needing fertility treatment should have equal access; 95% agreed that taking time off work to attend fertility treatment appointments should be treated more favourably than time off for cosmetic surgery-related appointments; 96% agreed that LGBT+ people should be supported to start a family, should they want to; and 99.3% agreed that employees should be protected from unfair treatment on the grounds of needing fertility treatment.
Nickie Aiken, MP for the Cities of London & Westminster, said,
"I’m pleased to bring fertility charities and organisations to Parliament as more and more employers sign up to our Workplace Fertility Pledge.
“Millions of people in the UK are struggling with infertility; they fall across all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and many are working-age people.
"It’s unacceptable that in 2024, this issue is still taboo in the workplace. Employees are having to deal with multiple cycles, side effects, and complications in silence. I’ve even heard of women injecting themselves in the toilets at work, afraid of the repercussions if their bosses find out.
“We will change this as more employers of all shapes and sizes lead the way and sign up voluntarily to the set of simple and clear set of commitments. It will benefit their organisations through fewer sick days, less turnover, and better staff wellbeing."
Becky Kearns, Co-Founder, Fertility Matters at Work, said,
“Our recent survey overwhelmingly showed that there is societal support for legislation and change within workplaces to protect those going through fertility treatment, enabling employees to attend appointments without the fear of an impact on their jobs, their pay or being unfavourably treated as a result.”
“The Fertility Workplace Pledge, as a voluntary scheme, has highlighted that workplaces want to make these changes to support their employees. However, without protection embedded in legislation, many employees are still going through this difficult experience in silence.”
Michael Johnson-Ellis, Co-Founder, TwoDadsUK, said,
“At TwoDadsUK® we have been active campaigners across many underrepresented communities within surrogacy and modern family building since we established TwoDadsUK back in 2017. Addressing the inequalities and the challenges LGBTQ+ Dads face in the workplace when family building is paramount to providing a more supportive and safe environment for new parents to work without distraction or discrimination.”
Claire Heuclin, Fertility Network UK’s FiTW coordinator, said,
"Fertility Network UK and its Fertility in the Workplace initiative are proud to be part of the Workplace Fertility Campaign Group, leading the way for legislative change in the workplace to better recognise and accommodate those facing infertility, which is an often misunderstood medical condition.
“Fertility in the Workplace actively encourages all organisations to sign up to the Fertility Workplace Pledge, as part of their workplace support packages, and is delighted to see this pledge being taken up by more and more companies across the country."
Dr Krystal Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Human Resource Management, Manchester Metropolitan University said,
“Our research has highlighted a myriad of challenges at the interface of fertility treatment and employment, which are exacerbated by a lack of legislative protections and evidence-based organisation policy.
“It is really encouraging that more and more organisations are taking note of a range of reproductive health issues, and wonderful to see the success of MP Aiken’s Fertility Workplace Pledge.
“The new white paper makes a strong case for further action, to ensure everyone affected by infertility and accessing fertility treatment gets appropriate support.”
Jen Tippin, Chief People and Transformation Officer, NatWest Group, said,
“NatWest is proud to have been one of the first organisations to sign the Fertility Workplace Pledge; we recognise what a sensitive and difficult journey this can be for our colleagues and are fully supportive of the aims and recommendations set out.”
The Fertility Workplace Pledge can be accessed at nickie.news/FertilityWorkplacePledge
References
(1) Fertility Network UK - fertilitynetworkuk.org
(2) Fertility Matters at Work 2020 survey: drive.google.com/file/d/17xklXfVZsqVFFDlLY6U72hAT_4VFX7pm/view
(3) Workplace Fertility Working Group, 2024 survey in conjunction with Fertility Matters at Work, Fertility Network UK, My Surrogacy Journey, LGBT Mummies, Manchester Metropolitan University, The IVF Network, Burgess Mee Family Law, Gateley Legal, and Infertility in the City. Read the report.
