SOM and Fertility Matters at Work call for cultural shift in workplace fertility support
The organisations said the focus should be on changing workplace culture, not just introducing policies.
The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) and Fertility Matters at Work called for a major shift in how employers support fertility and reproductive health.
The organisations said the focus should be on changing workplace culture, not just introducing policies.
Data found one in six people has faced infertility and one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage.
Natalie Silverman, co-founder and CCO of Fertility Matters at Work CIC, said: “Employers often focus on what support is offered, rather than how it is experienced.
“Even generous fertility benefits can fall short if employees are too afraid to ask for time off, worried their career will suffer, or feel isolated navigating treatment – which is why it’s vital for managers to be trained and for there to be awareness raising activity around this topic.”
Research from Fertility Matters at Work found 63% of employees were unsure if their workplace had a fertility policy.
Almost nine in 10 had not seen any manager training for fertility support.
Over a third of those who had treatment considered quitting their job.
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