Nearly two in five employees undergoing fertility treatment have left or considered leaving their jobs due to lack of workplace support, according to international research across five countries.
The report, produced by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, training provider Fertility Matters at Work and mental health organisation This Can Happen, found that while fertility challenges are widespread, few workplaces provide clear guidance, flexibility or understanding for those affected.
The research found that 39 percent of employees experiencing fertility challenges left or thought about leaving their roles during treatment. Two thirds said their workplace did not provide any fertility support, and six in 10 were not clearly entitled to time off for medical appointments. Some took unpaid or annual leave, while others used sick leave because of limited flexibility.
In France, 88 percent of respondents said their employer offered no fertility-related support, the highest proportion of any country studied. Similar gaps were reported in the UK, Australia, Japan and Poland.
The findings reveal a growing need for clearer workplace policies, experts say. With one in six people globally affected by infertility, and assisted reproduction now accounting for as many as 12 percent of births in some countries, expectations are shifting rapidly. Almost three quarters of those undergoing fertility treatment said they would be attracted to an employer that provides fertility support.
Gulf Between Employers and Employees
The report revealed a sharp divide between employer perception and employee experience. While three quarters of employers believed their organisation recognised fertility treatment as a significant life event, only 27 percent of employees who had undergone treatment agreed. More than a fifth said they felt unsupported by their organisation, and over a third said they had felt pressure to continue working during treatment.
The mental health impact was strikingly consistent. Ninety four percent of employees said fertility treatment affected their mental wellbeing, and four in five experienced anxiety or depression during their fertility journey. Despite this, almost a quarter said they had not told anyone at work about their treatment, often because they considered it too personal or feared it would affect their career prospects.
But where employees did disclose what they were going through, two thirds said their organisation responded positively, suggesting open communication and clear policies can make a significant difference.
Calls for Change in Workplace Culture
Christelle Beneteau, chief people officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, said the research reinforced the importance of compassionate and practical support during fertility treatment.
“This research highlights the challenges employees face and reinforces the importance of clear policies, open conversations and workplace cultures that recognise fertility as a significant moment in people’s lives,” she said.
Becky Kearns, co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work, said that clear policies and better manager training could have a major effect on retention. “Fertility treatment is a challenging time, yet the report shows that many people are still navigating it without the support they need, from manager training and awareness to entitled leave,” she said.
“We have seen first-hand how employees who receive fertility support feel more committed to their employer. More workplace recognition and clearer fertility policies could make a huge difference for individuals and organisations, with those who feel supported less likely to leave their jobs.”
Kathryn Courtenay-Evans, from This Can Happen, said mental wellbeing and fertility were deeply connected.
“Mental wellbeing and fertility challenges are deeply connected, yet too often overlooked in workplace strategies. This research shows that creating supportive cultures and clear support policies isn’t just compassionate, it’s essential for retaining talent and protecting mental health.”
Fertility Becomes a Retention and Wellbeing Issue
The report found that 58 percent of employers either include fertility and family-building challenges within their wellbeing strategies or plan to do so. A further 35 percent said they intend to introduce standalone fertility guidance.
Experts said the data shows that fertility challenges are not only a personal or medical matter but a workplace wellbeing issue affecting productivity, morale and staff retention. Many said this must now be treated as part of wider health and inclusion strategies, alongside menopause, parental leave and mental health.
Given the global scale of infertility, Ferring and its partners said there was an urgent need for workplaces to become more inclusive and proactive. That includes offering flexibility for appointments, training managers to handle conversations sensitively and ensuring clear entitlement to paid leave for treatment.