CIPD Publishes Guide to Supporting Employees Experiencing Fertility Issues

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has released a comprehensive guide for employers, offering support to employees who are facing fertility issues. This guide addresses the need for workplace assistance regarding fertility challenges, investigation and treatment. The publication of this guide follows the CIPD's promise in October 2022 to address the significant gaps in workplace support for individuals experiencing the loss of a pregnancy or a baby.

The CIPD Good Practice Principles

The guidance will be based on five key principles:

• Raising awareness of the need to recognise pregnancy or baby loss as part of workplace wellbeing in a sensitive manner.
• Cultivating an open, inclusive and supportive culture that breaks down stigma and assures employees they will receive adequate support.
• Developing an organisational framework that includes specific policies to address issues surrounding pregnancy and baby loss.
• Managing absences and leave with compassion and flexibility.
• Equipping line managers with the necessary skills to provide empathetic and understanding support to employees, enabling them to have sensitive conversations with their team members.

Best Practice

The report highlights that only around one quarter of employers have a policy in place to support employees undergoing fertility treatment or who suffer baby loss. Employers may wish to consider implementing specific policies that address pregnancy and baby loss with links to compassionate leave, flexible working arrangements and other relevant workplace support.

For more information or advice on finding and utilising proper workplace support, please contact Ellie Boyd in our Employment law team on 020 7665 0940, or complete the form below.