Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Fertility Treatment and Employment Rights

01 November 2022 · 10 other contributors · 8,654 words

Opened by Nickie Aiken Con Cities of London and Westminster

Responding minister: Nusrat Ghani

Employment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Nickie Aiken raised concerns about fertility treatment and employment rights in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Issues to do with fertility treatment affect hundreds of thousands of people across various demographics.
  • People undergoing fertility treatment face challenges in balancing their personal lives with work responsibilities due to the lack of legal protection.
  • The Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill would give individuals the right to take time off for fertility treatment and is supported by leading charities and NGOs.

Key requests to Government

I am moving a private Member's Bill, the Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill, which would give individuals the right to take time off for fertility treatment. The Bill is supported by leading charities and NGOs and will have its Second Reading on November 25th. Additionally, I am launching my fertility workplace pledge during National Fertility Awareness Week, calling for employers of all sizes to sign up to a set of commitments relating to information accessibility, awareness in the workplace, staff training, and flexible working.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Nickie Aiken Con Cities of London and Westminster

Issues to do with fertility treatment affect hundreds of thousands of people across various demographics. Fertility treatment is emotionally draining, costly, and risky, often requiring multiple cycles before achieving success. People undergoing fertility treatment face challenges in balancing their personal lives with work responsibilities due to the lack of legal protection compared to pregnancy-related issues. According to data from Fertility Matters at Work, one-third of individuals going through IVF have considered leaving their job due to workplace discrimination or fear of it.

Other contributors (10)
  • Angela Crawley Lab Lanark and Hamilton East

    She congratulated the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster on her campaign, emphasising the need for employment rights for those undergoing fertility treatment. She highlighted that around 3.5 million people in the UK experience fertility treatment and called for statutory rights for workers going through such treatments. Commented that the issue of right to paid leave specifically falls within the BEIS portfolio.

  • Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann

    Supported the debate's importance and expressed concern over the lack of legal entitlement for time off during IVF. She highlighted that in Northern Ireland, couples are only entitled to one cycle of IVF, despite a commitment in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document to provide three cycles.

  • Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North

    Paid tribute to the debate's purpose and highlighted the importance of flexibility in employment for those undergoing IVF. She emphasized that support is not only for women but also their partners, including same-sex couples and surrogates. Mentioned examples of companies like NatWest and Centrica leading the way with fertility policies.

  • Florence Eshalomi Lab Co-op Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

    Employers should ensure that their staff have the space to discuss fertility issues, given that 3.5 million people in the UK face fertility problems.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commended the hon. Member for introducing a private Member's Bill on fertility treatment and employment rights, highlighting that IVF is common but lacks clarity in employment rights. Noted cases where employers forced staff to take holiday for IVF appointments or required them to make up time for longer appointments, indicating a lack of understanding and compassion.

  • John Howell Con Strangford

    He expressed concern about the negative impact of fertility treatment on employees' work, citing a statistic that 85% of employees undergoing fertility treatment reported it had negatively impacted their work. He highlighted that 38% of those undergoing IVF have either considered or quit their jobs due to mental health reasons.

  • Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

    Congratulated Nickie Aiken for securing the debate, highlighted issues of job satisfaction and engagement reduction among those seeking IVF treatment, called for a culture of openness in workplaces, and cited statistics showing negative impacts on career progression.

  • Nigel Huddleston Con Mid Worcestershire

    I agreed with the hon. Member's points about fertility treatment being compared to cosmetic surgery, which is not an appropriate comparison. The lack of legal protection for those undergoing fertility treatments can lead to employees feeling vulnerable and unsupported by their employers.

  • Peter Dowd Lab Bootle

    More than one third of employees undergoing fertility treatment consider leaving their job because of the associated difficulties, which is detrimental to both personal finances and the economy. This debate highlights the importance of addressing these issues.

  • Steve Brine Con South Wilts

    We should treat fertility as a medical issue, but the current guidance from NICE that women receive only three full cycles of treatment is insufficient and often results in fewer than two cycles due to local decision-making. Asked if the Opposition is aware that current legislation bans people living with HIV from using fertility treatment despite effective HIV medication preventing transmission to babies.

Government Response

Nusrat Ghani

The Minister congratulated the MP for Cities of London and Westminster on securing this debate, noting that IVF is invasive, gruelling, and stressful. She highlighted the Government's women's health strategy and the theme of the health and wellbeing fund focusing on reproductive wellbeing in the workplace. The Minister acknowledged the pledge campaign to challenge employers with an old-fashioned view on fertility treatment leave. There are existing ways employees can take time off for medical appointments, including annual leave or unpaid leave agreements. She encouraged companies to adopt the fertility workplace pledge as a badge of honour and noted that numerous private Members' Bills have been introduced regarding employment rights.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy