Over one-third of employees undergoing fertility treatment consider leaving their jobs, according to Fertility Network survey

Mental health impact

The survey, which was answered solely by working women and men who are either experiencing fertility struggles or have in the past, reveals that nine out of ten people suffer with a combination of anxiety (91%), stress (89%) and depression (88%).

This in turn has a marked effect on workplace performance. 56% experienced decreased job satisfaction while trying to conceive and 38% had seriously considered leaving their job – or had in fact quit.

63% of respondents admitted to reduced engagement at work and 36% had to take increased sickness absence.

Financial burden

48% of people going through fertility treatment report significant financial worries. With the average cost of a cycle of IVF standing at £3,500 and the chances of success just one in three, the costs can really mount up, leading to serious debt and worries about future security.

Gwenda Burns, CEO of Fertility Network UK said: “Infertility affects 3.5 million men and women across the UK, which equates to one in six couples. The demographics of those people impacted by fertility issues mean they are likely to form a core element of every employer’s workforce. It is therefore vital that employers are able to support those impacted, so levels of distress associated with fertility treatment are reduced and employees are more likely to be productive and remain in the workplace.”

Signs of change

Almost 80% of people did inform their employer about their fertility journey, suggesting that the workplace taboo is starting to break.  However, 60% of the survey respondents were not honest about the time taken off for appointments and fertility-related illness.  This indicates that there is still work to be done with getting workplace policies right and in instilling a culture of openness so that employees needn’t feel guilty about taking the time they need to get their treatment.