Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London and Westminster, has launched a campaign in Parliament to give individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatment statutory time off work.
Commenting on the launch, Nickie said,
Fertility treatment affects millions of people from all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. It is emotionally draining, costly, risky and a long process.
Undergoing treatment while juggling a career is very tough. Many people feel they cannot tell their employer for fear of being overlooked for a promotion or being made redundant. The number of people hiding it from their employer and taking sick leave is shockingly high. It’s no wonder more than a third have considered quitting their job.
This must change. Individuals and couples need the right to attend fertility appointments no matter where they work, without fear of being negatively impacted in their career. My Private Members Bill - the Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill - sets out to give individuals and couples the right to take the time off for fertility treatment, just like they would have for antenatal appointments.
Hear more about why it's so important to change the attitudes towards fertility treatment on Nickie's In Conversation podcast episode with Becky Kearns and Claire Ingle from Fertility Matters at Work and Natalie Sutherland from Burgess Mee, a law firm that helps families with fertility law.
Nickie also sat down with Anya Sizer of Fertility Network UK and racing driver, Toby Trice, who advocates for better awareness around fertility treatment. Listen to their conversation and hear more about what they had to say.
Major UK employers including Metro Bank, NatWest Group, Co-op, Channel 4, and UK Hospitality have signed up to a set of simple and voluntary commitments, designed to benefit millions of individuals and couples going through fertility treatment.
Nickie Aiken MP has joined forces with national charities and organisations to write and launch the landmark “Fertility Workplace Pledge” — it comes as 3.5 million people in the UK are struggling to conceive naturally[i], and treatment such as IVF is emotionally draining, costly, there are risks of complications, and it can be a long process.
Juggling treatment and work is very tough. Many people are forced to deal with the side effects, risk of complications, and day-to-day practicalities in silence. They feel they cannot tell their employer for fear of being overlooked for promotion, having major projects taken off them, or being made redundant. Figures show that more than a third (36%) of people going through treatment have considered quitting their job.
The Fertility Workplace Pledge consists of four steps for employers to sign up to:
- Accessible information: Having an accessible workplace fertility policy to create an open culture free from stigma; to make sure employees feel comfortable in the workplace; and to prevent the best talent from leaving.
- Awareness in the workplace: Establishing the role of Fertility Ambassador to open conversations internally and make people aware of available support.
- Staff training: Making sure line managers understand the realities of treatment for employees including the physical, mental, and financial impact — and how they can support someone going through it.
- Flexible working: Giving the right for employees to request flexible working, including reasonable working adjustments, so they can attend appointments.
Organisations that have already signed up include Aldi, Cadent, Channel 4, Co-op, Fertility Matters at Work, Fertility Network UK, Metro Bank, NatWest Group, UK Hospitality, and Zurich Insurance, as well a range of law firms, recruiters, and events companies.
Want to be a fertility-friendly employer? After you sign up by emailing Nickie at nickie.aiken.mp@parliament.uk, the next step is implementing policies in your workplace!
To support our #FertilityAmbassadors, Nickie has worked with the brilliant Fertility Matters at Work and Fertility Network UK who both have excellent resources and guidance on offer. For more information on what support they can provide, please visit their websites.
Fertility Matters at Work - www.fertilitymattersatwork.com
Fertility Network UK - www.fertilitynetworkuk.org
Nickie needs your story to change the attitudes towards fertility treatment in the UK, and support those undertaking it.
Please email Nickie your story. All stories will remain anonymous.
January 2023
Nickie Aiken MP - ITV News champion Nickie's campaign to raise awareness of fertility treatment
November 2022
BBC News - Leicestershire mum campaigns for workplace fertility rights
Grazia Daily - ‘Why Women Like Me Hide IVF Treatment From Their Bosses’
Personnel Today - Gender health gap: employers must get serious about female-specific health issues
October 2022
BBC News - What's happening in Parliament next week?
City A.M. - Metro Bank, NatWest and Hospitality UK among top employers to back fertility pledge
FT Adviser - Insurer urges corporates to support staff during IVF
Grazia Daily - ‘Why Women Like Me Hide IVF Treatment From Their Bosses’
Personnel Today - Gender health gap: employers must get serious about female-specific health issues
Reaction Life - On the couch: Nickie Aiken MP
Today's Wills & Probate - Become a #FertilityAmbassador by signing the Fertility Workplace Pledge
September 2022
Health Awareness - UK employers failing to support women’s reproductive healthcare needs
HR Director - Employers must improve support for those undergoing fertility treatment
York Press - York residents urged to contact MPs over bill for fertility treatment
August 2022
The Times - Women seeking IVF treatment ‘should have legal right to time off’
July 2022
BBC News - Fighting for rights for workers undergoing fertility treatment
People Management - Why is fertility treatment still such taboo at work?
June 2022
Evening Standard - Allow employees paid leave to attend fertility treatment appointments, MP says
HR News - New report reveals shocking 72% of people feel fertility undervalued in the workplace
Huffington Post - Hopeful Parents Might Soon Get Paid Time Off For IVF. Here's Why They Need It
Independent - Allow employees paid leave to attend fertility treatment appointments, MP says
May 2022
Grazia Daily - 'Women Going Through IVF Need Protection In The Workplace'
iNews - The physical toll of IVF: Swollen ovaries, bruising and injections in public toilets
Marie Claire - A campaign to give IVF couples statutory time off has reached parliament
The Times - Women undergoing IVF complain of workplace discrimination
You Magazine - IVF discrimination is forcing women out of jobs, according to an MP