A new report has revealed that one in four women are unfairly treated at work after telling their boss that they are undergoing fertility treatment.
The research, published during Infertility Awareness Week, aims to lifts the lid on the level of discrimination that women experience in the workplace due to reproductive health issues.
Compiled by Pregnant Then Screwed in partnership with Women In Data®, it shows that almost one-third of women who have experienced pregnancy loss as a couple (29%) told their employer when they experienced pregnancy loss – and one in five (22%) of these women reported unfair treatment following their revelation.
In contrast, just 6% of partners who told their boss about their loss faced any negative treatment.
The new report claims that being transparent about fertility can be costly to women’s careers. Almost half (42%) of women going through fertility treatment told their boss. Of those, one in four (24%) didn’t receive any support from their employer, and 24% said they experienced unfair treatment as a result.
Earlier this month, a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that one in six people around the world experience infertility.
Joeli Brearley, from Pregnant Then Screwed, said: “We are seeing an increasing number of calls to our helpline from women who experience discrimination in the workplace as a result of reproductive health issues.
“Going through the unknowns of fertility treatment, or the utter heartbreak of baby loss, can be excruciating for many women. That pain and emotional trauma is compounded by hostile employers who discriminate against women for wanting a baby.
“Women are incredibly vulnerable at this time, and they need support from their employer, rather than prejudice. And employers should be very aware that this type of behaviour is unlawful and could land them in court if they are not careful.’’
Pregnant Then Screwed is launching a new programme to help employers become better at dealing with reproductive health issues in the workplace.
In June they will be hosting a free Women in the Workplace seminar, where businesses can find out more about the new training and accreditation scheme, designed to signal fertility friendly employers. To sign up to the FREE women in the workplace seminar head here.
