October 15th 2023.
Gabriella Griffith remembers the moment she reached for the Tampax - her dream of being pregnant after undergoing IVF treatment had crumbled. It was a moment that was made all the harder by the fact she was in the office at the time, and she was surrounded by colleagues.
"No one wants to be in this situation in a workplace," she says. "I’m a professional, I’m good at my job. But try as I might, it’s near impossible to leave fertility struggles at the door."
New research has highlighted the difficulties faced by women dealing with fertility issues while working. The study, which surveyed 2,000 people in the UK who have undergone fertility treatment in the past five years, found that one in five workers had quit their job because of the way they were treated at work during the process. A further third had considered leaving their place of work due to how they were treated by their employer.
Gabriella's mental health suffered as a result of her fertility struggles. She remembers occasions such as baby showers becoming unbearable, and the emotional weight of infertility meant there were days when she just didn’t want to get out of bed. Balancing work and appointments became tricky as well, leaving her with a difficult choice - to talk to management about her situation or make a string of imaginative excuses.
The research also found that 16% of those surveyed said their mental health had been impacted while struggling with fertility issues at work, rising to 24% for single women and those on low incomes. Furthermore, 42% said that undergoing fertility treatment temporarily slowed down their professional development, and 43% stated they had faced negative comments and attitudes from fellow colleagues.
Totaljobs and the Fawcett Society, are now calling on UK workplaces to become 'fertility-friendly' in order to support the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by infertility. Jane Lorigan, managing Director Totaljobs Group, said: "Getting treatment for fertility issues impacts every aspect of someone’s life. Starting conversations at work can be sensitive to broach but employers that offer comprehensive and compassionate support can not only make the process easier to deal with but foster a better workplace for everyone."
The study also showed that 61% of those surveyed said fertility benefits made an employer more attractive, and 83% want the same level of support given to those who are expecting or already have a child. It's clear that many people impacted by fertility issues feel let down by their workplaces, and it's up to work cultures to shift so support is received by those who need it.
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