SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE SERIES
Fertility in the Workplace
Focus
Wednesday 19th January 2022
One in eight male and female couples in the UK are affected by fertility issues, and this figure may be higher for same sex couples and solo parents.
The number of people registering for surrogacy has been rising steadily over the past decade. Fertility is a health issue that is likely to affect your colleagues. Yet at the same time, more than 50 per cent of employees don’t feel comfortable discussing their fertility journey with their line manager.
Join us for this exclusive discussion with HR experts, lawyers, allies and clinicians about why fertility should be a workplace issue and what you can do to support colleagues who are going through their fertility journeys.
This mini online digital focus afternoon includes two presentations as well as a lively panel discussion with experts in the issue. Whether you are learning about the issue for the first time or are familiar with supporting colleagues, you will be able to take away essential learnings and useful case studies to apply to your organisations.
Join us to discover:
- Understand the mental, physical and emotional impact of fertility and the key challenges
- Learn how to encourage colleagues to share their fertility journeys and how best to support employees on their fertility journeys
- Discover what the law says about maternity rights for those undergoing fertility treatment
- Find out how likely it is that statutory rights will change around surrogacy, adoption and IVF paid leave
- Find out what the future holds for employment law around fertility
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Discover new software tools and strategies to benefit diversity and inclusion in your organisation
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Ignite passion for diversity and inclusion initiatives within your organisation and facilitate greater change for good
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Connect with other professionals also looking to upgrade their D&I strategies and work together to advance change
Fertility in the Workplace Agenda
1pm – 2pm GMT
Why Workers Are Hiding Fertility Issues – And What To Do About It
There are more than 3.5 million people in the UK currently experiencing fertility problems, and the majority of them are in employment.
A survey conducted by Fertility Network UK in 2021, looking at the mental health impact of fertility treatment on workplace performance and job satisfaction, found that:
- Over one-third (38%) of employees undergoing fertility treatment considered leaving their jobs
- Over half (56%) experienced decreased job satisfaction while trying to conceive
- One-third (36%) had to take increased sickness absence,
- Two-thirds (63%) of respondents reported reduced engagement at work
- 1 in 5 people (20% did not inform their employer about having fertility treatment and
- Nearly two-thirds (60%) of people felt the need to hide the real reason for time taken off for appointments and fertility-related illness.
Join us as we talk with Anya Sizer from Fertility Network UK to discuss these findings and discover why most people experiencing fertility problems are reluctant to speak to their employer.
Anya Sizer, Regional Organiser, Fertility Network UK
2pm – 3pm GMT
Law and Fertility in the Workplace
This exclusive interview with Michelle Last, Partner at Keystone Law, covers:
Key facts: There is currently still no legal right for employees to take time off work for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment or related sickness in the UK
Why fertility appointments should be treated as medical ones and any sickness absence should be treated as any other sick leave
Why many people choose not to tell their employer that they are experiencing fertility issues or undergoing treatment
- Encouraging a more open dialogue about fertility treatment in the workplace and eroding remaining taboos about discussing the mental and physical impact this can have on individuals
Michelle Last, Partner, Keystone Law
3pm – 4pm GMT
Panel Discussion: How Best to Support Colleagues Undergoing Fertility Journeys in Your Workplace
- Understanding the mental, physical and emotional impact of fertility and how fertility drugs can affect individuals at work
- How can employers encourage colleagues to share their fertility journeys and encouraging better dialogue and support? Can ERGs help?
- How can employers best support their staff and anticipate their needs?
- Covering employment law and statutory rights with regard to surrogacy, adoption and IVF paid leave
Moderator:
Elisabeth Galvin, Content Editor, Diversity Network
Panellists:
Fiona Skinner, Founder, The Fertility Coaching Company
Nina Barnsley, Director, Donor Conception Network
Bill Smith, Head of Ultrasound, Clinical Diagnostic Services
Speakers
Join us for this informative event
What you will gain:
Flexible access to content
Our online conference portal offers a personalised content experience. You can join in with the sessions at work and on the go, live and on demand, and reach out to fellow attendees.
An opportunity to make new contacts
After the learning, join us to meet speakers and fellow attendees and make new contacts at our exclusive after-show digital meetup.
Who attends?
Diversity Network’s events attract senior HR, D&I, and CL&D leaders from many prominent organisations including:
Watch the sessions on demand
Accessing the sessions is easy. Simply fill in the form below and we will send you all the links to watch the sessions on demand
See all our upcoming events
At Diversity Network, we run digital events centred around corporate learning and development all year round. Here are the details of a few of our other upcoming online events which you may also be interested in attending:
