Major Companies Sign Up To Support the Newly Launched Fertility Workplace Pledge

It is thought there are approximately 3.5 million people in the UK who are struggling with natural conception. Treatments such as IVF can be emotionally draining, time-consuming and costly. Employees often avoid sharing their fertility journey with their employers due to the fear of repercussions such as being overlooked for promotion or being made redundant.

Nickie Aiken has worked closely with a number of charities to launch the Fertility Workplace Pledge. The Pledge forms part of a wider effort to tackle negative stigma surrounding fertility treatment. The main aim is to support those juggling employment while undergoing fertility treatments and to alleviate any fear of being negatively impacted in their career.

Large employers including Co-op, Channel 4, NatWest and Metro Bank have signed up to the Pledge. By signing the Pledge, employers are committing to:

• raising awareness by appointing fertility ambassadors who can begin internal conversations and promote available support
• ensuring line managers are trained so that they understand the realities of treatment and can support colleagues through the physical, mental and financial impacts
• making information (including a workplace fertility policy) accessible to create an open culture free from stigma
• allowing staff to request flexible working so they can attend appointments just as they would for antenatal appointments. Co-op has even gone one step further by offering paid leave to its staff to undergo such treatments

It is important for employers to keep up with the advancement of science and it can be argued that those undergoing fertility treatment deserve to have the same rights and opportunities granted to those undergoing a 'normal' pregnancy. By signing the pledge, employers can create a more inclusive environment for employees and reduce any negative stigma associated with fertility treatment.

The Pledge is voluntary, but acts as a demonstration of the increasing awareness within the UK workforce of the importance of supporting women's health in the workplace, and how this fits into the bigger picture of gender equality, and talent retention over time. Find out more information or sign up to the Pledge.

For further information on the Pledge, please contact Ellie Boyd in our Employment Law team on 020 7665 0940. Alternatively, please complete the form below.