- Conference
- 2024 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 12 October 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that Infertility is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a disease of the reproductive system and should be handled at work in the same way as any other health condition.
Research by Fertility Network UK has shown that most people experiencing fertility problems are reluctant to speak to their employer, because they fear it may have a detrimental effect on their career. It is not uncommon for staff to end up reducing their hours or quitting their job if they are unable to balance work and fertility issues.
In the UK, roughly one in six couples (or 3.5 million people) are affected by infertility, with most of these people working.
Unlike ante-natal appointments once pregnant, employers are not currently required to provide paid or unpaid time off to enable employees to attend medical appointments for fertility treatments.
Having workplace policies that will support women going through this will ensure women are not affected detrimentally in the workplace.
Many women have left the job market for not feeling supported at work and many women have been forced out of their jobs, through capability and absence.
More and more women are starting to have children later in life which means their fertility is compromised from the start of their journey to motherhood. And after spending years building a career for themselves, many feel they have to make a choice – career or family.
Black women have higher rates of infertility than white women (7.2% vs. 5.5%). However, despite the higher rate of infertility among black women they are less likely to use IVF. Whilst there are no definitive explanations for this and more research needs to be undertaken it appears there are more barriers for Black women in accessing IVF services due to living in disadvantaged parts of the UK. Black women are also less likely to have successful fertility treatment with a recent study by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Their study showed that Black patients aged 30-34 have an average birth rate of 23% compared to 30% for Mixed and White patients.
In a trade union where the overwhelming majority of members are women, this is not just a workplace issue but a UNISON issue.
Conference instructs the National Women’s Committee to:
• promote and build awareness of infertility as a workplace issue nationally.
• To encourage UNISON Branches to campaign for Infertility Policies within their workplaces.
• To campaign for a change in legislation to allow time off for infertility treatment.