New guide launches to bridge gap in fertility support in Irish businesses.
A new study reveals that 80% of people undergoing fertility treatment in Ireland say their workplace lacks adequate support policies, prompting Sims IVF to launch a free resource guide for employers and HR professionals.
The research, which surveyed 120 people who have used Sims IVF services, found that among the small number of respondents whose companies do have fertility policies, 86% said these policies did not adequately support them during treatment.
“It’s not that employers are unsympathetic, but often they simply don’t understand the complexities of fertility treatment and its impact on their employees”
The findings highlight significant workplace challenges for those seeking fertility treatment.
According to the study, 98% of respondents agreed that their emotional wellbeing at work was impacted during treatment, while 83% said fertility treatment affected their ability to fulfill work responsibilities.
Silent struggle
“Many Irish employees undergoing fertility treatment have faced a silent struggle, often without the understanding or support they deserve,” said Niamh Doran, HR Manager at Sims IVF.
“It’s not that employers are unsympathetic, but often they simply don’t understand the complexities of fertility treatment and its impact on their employees. Fertility treatment involves multiple appointments, sometimes at short notice and people are often left with no option but to use their annual leave or even sick leave.”
The World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 6 couples will experience infertility, making this a common workplace issue across Ireland. In response, Sims IVF has launched “Navigating Fertility Treatment in the Workplace,” a free resource designed to help employers create supportive policies.
The guide addresses the emotional and physical demands of fertility treatment, the need for flexible time off, and the importance of open communication and confidentiality. It includes practical solutions such as implementing comprehensive fertility treatment policies, offering education and training initiatives, and providing direct access to support resources.
Personal experiences shared in the research reveal the workplace challenges faced by employees. One respondent said, “Sometimes my employer was accommodating, sometimes not. I dreaded telling them I needed time off.” Another revealed, “Empathy drastically dropped after the first two rounds. My boss actually rolled his eyes when I said I was doing the fourth round.”
Caitriona Fitzpatrick, Board member and spokesperson for the National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG), emphasised the importance of workplace support.
“We spend so much of our lives at work, it is imperative that it is also an environment that people can speak about issues they are facing,” she said. “A fertility journey is unpredictable, emotionally and physically demanding and, often times, very lonely. Having a workplace and employer that can support someone on this journey makes a significant difference to employees.”
Fitzpatrick added that most people never expect to face fertility issues when starting their families, and as deeply personal matters, they often struggle to find support.
“Being able to talk to an employer, a line manager or a colleague about the difficulties they are facing and know that they will be listened to with compassion and understanding, is not only key to having a supportive and inclusive workplace, but it helps to create a culture of understanding and support.”
“At Sims IVF, we witness firsthand the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatment. We believe that employers can have a crucial role to play in helping ease this burden,” Doran concluded. “We want to use our expertise to support employers, offering practical solutions and guidance from experts to help create truly fertility-friendly workplaces.”
The employer guide is publicly available on the Sims IVF website and includes a fertility policy template for workplaces. Sims IVF also partners with businesses to create supportive work environments through educational webinars, expert policy development consultation, and tailored services.
Main image: Photo by Alicia Petresc on Unsplash
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