What is fertility treatment leave, and which companies offer it?
16th Apr 2024
Fertility treatment leave is a type of medical leave, which some employers grant to employees undergoing fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or other assisted reproductive technologies. This leave provides employees with the necessary time off to attend medical appointments, undergo treatments, and recover from any associated procedures, without having to use sick days or annual leave.
The availability and length of fertility treatment leave may vary depending on the laws and policies of the country and company the employee is working in. In some countries, fertility treatment leave may be provided as part of statutory maternity or paternity leave, or as a company benefit. In the UK, leave for fertility treatment is not currently a legal right, but there is a bill with this aim currently sitting with the House of Commons.
Fertility treatment leave may be paid or unpaid, and can be made available to both men and women. Some employers may require employees to provide medical certification or proof of treatment to be eligible for fertility treatment leave.Why should companies offer fertility treatment leave?
According to the NHS, around 1 in 7 heterosexual couples may have difficulty conceiving - that's around 14%. And that's not accounting for LGBTQ+ couples, for most of whom natural conception is not an option. But despite it being far from an unusual experience, many employees still feel reluctant to approach or discuss fertility issues with their employer. This might be due to embarrassment, shame, or even fear that it will negatively impact their career if they choose to share personal matters at work.
No matter their precise situation, it's all too common for those going through fertility issues to be impacted by it both physically and emotionally. And with much of their time still being spent in the workplace while going through this life-impacting experience, it's important for companies to create a supportive work environment for employees in this position.
Although employees in the UK currently have no statutory right to take time off work for fertility treatment, ACAS guidance suggests that employers treat appointments as any other medical appointment under the employment contract.
However, having fertility treatment leave as a standalone company benefit helps reduce employee stress for those going through treatment, helping to improve workplace culture and boost productivity. Providing understanding, care and support to employees helps demonstrate that they are valued by their company, and can foster a culture of openness where employees feel free to be honest about what they are going through outside of work. That's a culture that benefits everybody.What companies offer fertility treatment leave?
We're putting the spotlight on a few Flexified companies who offer fertility treatment leave to their employees.
Blood Cancer UK is here to beat blood cancer in a generation. Alongside fertility treatment leave, they offer enhanced sick pay and dedicated pregnancy loss leave to their employees.
Attractions.io connect the guest experience at the world's leading visitor attractions. In addition to their fertility leave provisions, they are open to compressed hours and grant their employees a work from home allowance.
Providing gifts for moments big and small, Not On The High Street's marketplace is home to over 5,000 small businesses. They offer their team fertility treatment leave, menstrual leave and enhanced sick days.
With an ambition to become the world's online learning library, Perlego are on a mission to make learning accessible to all. As well as fertility treatment leave, they provide shared parental leave and are open to job sharing and part-time employees.
SilverRail Technologies is an environmental impact-driven business, modernising rail's online customer experience. Their family-friendly benefits include fertility treatment leave, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, and adoption leave too.