Survey reveals shortcomings in company fertility policies

Just two out of ten employers have a formal fertility treatment policy in place, according to a survey conducted by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The survey found that 63 percent of the over 1000 managers surveyed considered policies for fertility treatment to be important, but only 19 percent had formal fertility policies in place. A further 35 percent said they had no plans to introduce one.

'Employers risk losing good people because they are not addressing what is a growing issue affecting more and more of our workforce every year,' Ann Francke, chief executive of the CMI told the Guardian.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has estimated that in 2022 approximately 100,000 individuals in the UK were involved in IVF treatment at HFEA-licensed fertility clinics, either as patients or partners.

As NHS data indicates that one in seven couples face challenges conceiving, the CMI has encouraged employers to adopt supportive measures, such as flexible working hours, paid leave for medical appointments, and compassionate leave where appropriate.

'Without skilled management support, the significant stresses of fertility treatment can lead to increased sick leave and retention issues if staff feel they have no other choice but to quit or decrease their responsibilities in order to cope with the impact of treatment,' said Francke.

These results resemble previous research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in 2023, which found that 27 percent of the over 2300 HR professionals surveyed had a fertility treatment policy in place, while 40 percent had no formal policy and did not plan to introduce one.

The call for fertility-friendly workplaces was adopted by then-MP Nickie Aiken in early 2024 when more than 50 employers signed a Fertility Workplace Pledge and, together with charities and legal organisations, joined the Workplace Fertility Campaign Group. Drawing on evidence from previous surveys and studies carried out by the member organisations, they presented a white paper to MPs in March 2024 describing the challenges of fertility treatment in the workplace, and highlighting the need for legislative change to provide protection and support for the growing number of employees who are going through fertility treatment while at work.

One of the quoted studies, conducted in 2023 by the charity Fertility Network UK and healthcare provider Fertifa, surveyed over 3600 people aged 25 to 45. Fertility support, or a fertility policy, was very important to 78 percent when they were considering a new job or employer.

'With a policy in place, employees know immediately what help is available without having to disclose their infertility or treatment if they don't wish to,' said Sharon Martin, interim chief executive of Fertility Network UK.

What employers and employees can – and should – expect from each other was under the spotlight at a PET (Progress Educational Trust) event on fertility-friendly workplaces last year (see BioNews 1270).