The incompatibility of fertility treatment and work

Dr Zeynep Gurtin, social scientist academic and member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority knows from experience how hard the balancing act between fertility treatment and work can be.

Writing in the Guardian, she explains how it is in organisations' interests to provide proper support.

Recognising the themes highlighted by the Fertility Network UK survey of 1279 fertility patients (see BioNews 1165) she clarified: 'The difficulties of infertility and fertility treatments are exacerbated when also juggling a demanding job, particularly for those in full-time employment. Many feel fearful about disclosing their needs to employers, or asking for adjustments to pursue what can be onerous medical treatment, because they don’t want to be judged or penalised, overlooked for promotion or pigeonholed as unreliable. As a result, many suffer in silence...'

Dr Gurtin further details how several big UK employers have now committed to a new, voluntary fertility workplace pledge, which gives employees the right to request flexible working and reasonable adjustments to attend IVF appointments (see BioNews 1166).