FERTILITY AND THE WORKPLACE: HAS COVID ACCELERATED THE TREND FOR FERTILITY TREATMENT BENEFITS

Last month, we wrote about managing IVF in the workplace which struck a chord with many of you. One interesting development from the COVID pandemic is that it seems to have accelerated the trend for fertility treatment benefits as employers prioritise our wellbeing.

WHICH FERTILITY TREATMENTS ARE BEING OFFERED BY EMPLOYERS?

Perks within businesses are certainly nothing new. Up until now they largely consisted of free gym memberships, company cars, or additional days off. In recent years, however, employers have begun to realise the importance of employee wellbeing. For employees who are experiencing fertility challenges, it can greatly impact their state of mind and their performance. Which is why several UK groups have started to offer fertility-related benefits. Large UK employers such as NatWest and Clifford Chance, have introduced fertility benefits totalling up to £45,000 per employee. These include offering to pay for IVF or surrogacy. Other benefits include providing time off for appointments, counselling, and miscarriage leave. Rarely did employers get involved with the outside lives of their workers. So, what’s changed?

THE PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE WELLBEING

Employee wellbeing was already becoming a priority before COVID hit. However, the toll the pandemic has taken on the population has forced businesses to accelerate their efforts. Mr Stuart Lavery of Aria Fertility commented: “We have seen many patients coming to Aria having left their jobs, taking a break from the stress of the last 18 months and focusing on starting a family. Many patients would benefit from greater support from their employer. This extends not only to financial assistance but also that of emotional and psychological support to those managing fertility issues.” Employment statistics suggest a huge increase in the number of employees leaving their jobs as people reevaluate what is important in life. With a record number of job vacancies available, employers are having to pull out all the stops to keep hold of their existing workforce. According to research, 49% of employers have introduced new benefits for their workers since the pandemic began.

OUR CONTRIBUTION TO FERTILITY TREATMENT BENEFITS

Aria Fertility works alongside Carrot Fertility to provide fertility benefits to employees through their employers. Flexible plans are available to suit businesses of all sizes. Just some of the benefits companies can opt to include are:

• Fertility medications
• Pregnancy support
• Family planning and care
• Adoption benefits
• Fertility preservation

Consultant gynaecologist Amanda Tozer of Aria Fertility explained, “the fact businesses are acknowledging women’s wellness is a wonderful thing. Providing support to employees, assisting with access to fertility treatments, and preservation services is certainly of benefit to those struggling with fertility issues or wanting to preserve their own fertility, until the time is right to start a family.” Currently, it is still only select businesses that have introduced these benefits. As time goes on, more HR professionals are realising the importance of fertility-related benefits. At the very least, workers who are experiencing fertility troubles can ask for more flexible working hours. There is no denying that fertility issues can greatly impact employee wellbeing and performance. Employers who prioritise their workers mental and physical health such as offering fertility treatments are likely to reap the benefits.