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Fertility Treatment and Employment Rights
01 November 2022
Lead MP
Nickie Aiken
Responding Minister
Nusrat Ghani
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmploymentWomen & Equalities
Word Count: 8654
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Nickie Aiken raised concerns about fertility treatment and employment rights in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
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.
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
Government Response
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.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.