A groundbreaking study conducted by the global employee healthcare platform Peppy in collaboration with the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA) and Fertility Matters At Work (FMAW) has shed light on the significant impact of the rising cost and limited accessibility of fertility support on the workforce.
The research, carried out in partnership with CensusWide, surveyed 1,031 employees, 511 of whom were grappling with fertility issues, while 508 were actively trying to conceive or contemplating fertility treatments in the future.
Millennials Lead the Charge:
A staggering 43 percent of Millennial employees, aged 24 to 34, expressed their willingness to consider leaving or changing their current job within the next year due to the lack of workplace support for fertility or baby loss issues.
This figure rose to 45 percent among respondents from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Across all employees surveyed, 30 percent indicated a similar inclination.
Mental Wellbeing Takes a Hit:
A majority of those struggling with fertility issues, 54 percent, cited expensive and hard-to-access fertility support as having a negative impact on their mental wellbeing.
Also, 45 percent of the overall respondents admitted feeling uncomfortable discussing fertility issues or benefits in their workplace.
Among women who felt uncomfortable, 36 percent attributed their discomfort to a perceived lack of support or understanding regarding fertility issues from their employers.
LGBTQ+ Employees Face Greater Struggles:
An alarming 49 percent of LGBTQ+ employees who were considering or dealing with fertility treatments reported that it negatively impacted their mental wellbeing, a striking 10 percentage points higher than their heterosexual counterparts at 39 percent.
Peppy, BICA, and FMAW jointly emphasise that these findings underscore the urgent need for employers to prioritise comprehensive healthcare benefits tailored to their diverse workforce.
The message is clear: fertility can no longer be relegated to the margins of workplace concerns but should be integrated into an employer’s approach to employee wellbeing. Francesca Steyn, Peppy’s VP Clinical and Chair of the RCN Fertility Forum, emphasised the importance of this issue, stating, “Access to reproductive healthcare is more important than ever. Our vision is to work with employers to help them bridge the gap in fertility care and provide modern-day solutions to help people on fertility journeys feel supported.”
A safe workplace
Becky Kearns, Co-Founder at Fertility Matters At Work, further emphasised the need for fertility support to become an integral part of workplace culture. She stated, “Support stems from an open and safe workplace that enables employees to bring their whole self to work and thrive.”
Angela Pericleous-Smith, Chair of the British Infertility Counselling Association, concluded that the findings represent a wake-up call for both employers and the fertility sector, noting, “Regardless of gender, sexuality, and relationship status, fertility issues have a significant impact, and people need to be well-supported as a routine part of their employment.”
The study has underscored the need for a shift in the workplace culture to ensure that fertility and reproductive health are given the importance they deserve, promoting an environment of inclusivity and understanding for all employees. As the workforce continues to evolve, addressing fertility issues is becoming increasingly essential for employers to attract and retain talent and foster a healthy, supportive work environment.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
