Improving reproductive health support in the workplace

“I’ve lost promotions because, you know… I learned from a colleague… they decided not to give me the position because I was going through fertility rounds and maybe I wasn’t going to be to the standards of the new job.”

Manchester Metropolitan University Complex Fertility Journeys project[1]

In the UK, there is little legislative employment provision around fertility treatment. As a result, those undergoing fertility treatment can face a number of challenges in relation to work. These can be logistical issues, like attending medical appointments, and administering medications. But they also include the need to manage the significant psychological, social and financial stresses that can result from treatment. Individuals can also be subject to negative responses and discrimination.

In March, Manchester Met’s Dr Krystal Wilkinson (Business School) attended Parliament to launch the White Paper, ‘The impact of fertility challenges in the workplace: The case for action and legislative change’, which she co-authored as part of the Workplace Fertility Campaign Group. Led by Nickie Aiken MP and Becky Kearns (Co-Founder, Fertility Matters at Work), the group also includes leading fertility  organisations, law firms and campaign groups including Fertility Network UK and LGBT Mummies.

Their recent White Paper draws on MMU research findings, as well as data from industry surveys, to call for legislative change to mirror provisions for maternity and other protected characteristics in the workplace – for example, through paid time off for appointments, temporary reasonable adjustments and protection from discrimination.  The campaign group are also involved in Nickie Aiken MP’s landmark ‘Fertility Workplace Pledge,’ which consists of four clear steps for employers to sign up to, to improve support for those undergoing fertility treatment. This includes, raising awareness of challenges around fertility treatment and allowing flexible working.

The pledge has already attracted significant support, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak endorsing the pledge during Prime Minister’s Questions.

On the next steps for this work, Dr Wilkinson commented:

“The Workplace Fertility Campaign Group are currently working on establishing an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fertility, to press for fairness for those undergoing fertility tests and treatment in different domains, including the healthcare system and the workplace.  We are also working on a manifesto letter, and other activities to maintain momentum.

Here at Manchester Met, we are planning further research on the intersection between fertility treatment and employment.”

This research will be well-supported by Caroline Biddle, who is currently undertaking a PhD at Manchester Met on this topic.

Researching reproductive health and employment

Fertility in the workplace is just one of a number of research projects by Dr Wilkinson, recently gaining the attention of policymakers. More broadly, Dr Wilkinson’s research focuses on different facets of women’s reproductive health and employment, including menstrual health, complex fertility journeys (including navigating fertility tests, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and childlessness), menopause and perinatal mental health.

Her other recent activity includes:

• Participating in a select roundtable discussion at 10 Downing Street on menopause in the workplace, hosted by Mims Davies MP (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work), and co-chaired by Helen Tomlinson (Government Menopause Employment Champion).
• Attending Parliament for the 20th birthday celebration of Fertility Network UK.
• Invitation to the inaugural meeting of the APPG for Flexible and Family Friendly Working; Dr Wilkinson is a member of the Academic Advisory Board of Working Families charity who are acting as the APPG Secretariat.

Through this work, Dr Wilkinson is playing a key role in addressing gaps in knowledge around reproductive health in the workplace, ensuring improved support from employers in future.

[1] FMAW White Paper ONLINE VERSION (fertilitynetworkuk.org)