IVF patients 'afraid to tell the boss'
Nearly two thirds of those undergoing IVF do not feel they can tell their employers they are having fertility treatment, according to a survey.
Research by Infertility Network UK, the main British charity for those with fertility problems, said 61 per cent of patients had kept their treatment secret.
They were worried about the consequences of their employer knowing they were trying for a baby.
Other reasons for not telling employers were worries about work colleagues finding out, concerns that employers would not be sympathetic and the general feeling that infertility was a private matter.
The amount of time patients took off for treatment varied considerably, from just one day to a few weeks, depending on their circumstances.
But most had taken fewer than 10 working days.
Patients had taken the time off in a variety of ways with 56 per cent taking it as sick leave, 47 per cent using annual holiday leave, 14 per cent taking unpaid leave and 20 per cent given paid leave by their employer for their treatment.
The results of the survey were published ahead of a major conference in London tomorrow to mark National Infertility Day.
Speakers include Dame Suzi Leather, the chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Dr Gillian Lockwood, a fertility specialist, and Emily Buchanan, the BBC World Affairs Correspondent who suffered three miscarriages and eventually adopted two girls.
Infertility Network UK points out that some employers recognise infertility as a medical condition, and allow their staff to take time off to have treatment.
Asda offers five days' paid leave with the option of extra unpaid leave. London and Quadrant Housing give staff unlimited time off for fertility treatment.
Infertility affects one in seven couples and in the UK alone about three and a half million people are suffering from some kind of fertility problem.
Experts say the emotional impact of infertility cannot be underestimated.
A study carried out for the National Infertility Awareness Campaign in 1997 questioned more than 900 patients about their experiences, and found 94 per cent had suffered depression and feelings of isolation.
There was also some stigma attached to infertility. Many couples were worried about their colleagues finding out that they were having difficulty conceiving.
About 72 per cent of patients had experienced feelings of inadequacy and 62 per cent felt guilt and shame about their condition. A spokesman for Infertility Network UK said: "It is common for couples to have concerns about telling their employers they are having fertility treatment, and there are many reasons for this.
"Couples undergoing fertility tests or any form of treatment will have to attend a fertility clinic.
"Investigations to discover the cause of the problem are often drawn out over many months or even years, and although some clinics try to arrange appointment times to suit their patients, many others can't do this.
"An employee may need to take some time off during their normal working hours to visit the clinic.
"If an employer can allow some degree of flexibility in the working day, this will not only make the whole process much easier but often has wider benefits for employee relations across the board."
The charity said an understanding employer could make all the difference to an employee during fertility treatment.
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ivf, infertility, infertility treatments, infertility treatment, fertility
Research by Infertility Network UK, the main British charity for those with fertility problems, said 61 per cent of patients had kept their treatment secret.
They were worried about the consequences of their employer knowing they were trying for a baby.
Other reasons for not telling employers were worries about work colleagues finding out, concerns that employers would not be sympathetic and the general feeling that infertility was a private matter.
The amount of time patients took off for treatment varied considerably, from just one day to a few weeks, depending on their circumstances.
But most had taken fewer than 10 working days.
Patients had taken the time off in a variety of ways with 56 per cent taking it as sick leave, 47 per cent using annual holiday leave, 14 per cent taking unpaid leave and 20 per cent given paid leave by their employer for their treatment.
The results of the survey were published ahead of a major conference in London tomorrow to mark National Infertility Day.
Speakers include Dame Suzi Leather, the chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Dr Gillian Lockwood, a fertility specialist, and Emily Buchanan, the BBC World Affairs Correspondent who suffered three miscarriages and eventually adopted two girls.
Infertility Network UK points out that some employers recognise infertility as a medical condition, and allow their staff to take time off to have treatment.
Asda offers five days' paid leave with the option of extra unpaid leave. London and Quadrant Housing give staff unlimited time off for fertility treatment.
Infertility affects one in seven couples and in the UK alone about three and a half million people are suffering from some kind of fertility problem.
Experts say the emotional impact of infertility cannot be underestimated.
A study carried out for the National Infertility Awareness Campaign in 1997 questioned more than 900 patients about their experiences, and found 94 per cent had suffered depression and feelings of isolation.
There was also some stigma attached to infertility. Many couples were worried about their colleagues finding out that they were having difficulty conceiving.
About 72 per cent of patients had experienced feelings of inadequacy and 62 per cent felt guilt and shame about their condition. A spokesman for Infertility Network UK said: "It is common for couples to have concerns about telling their employers they are having fertility treatment, and there are many reasons for this.
"Couples undergoing fertility tests or any form of treatment will have to attend a fertility clinic.
"Investigations to discover the cause of the problem are often drawn out over many months or even years, and although some clinics try to arrange appointment times to suit their patients, many others can't do this.
"An employee may need to take some time off during their normal working hours to visit the clinic.
"If an employer can allow some degree of flexibility in the working day, this will not only make the whole process much easier but often has wider benefits for employee relations across the board."
The charity said an understanding employer could make all the difference to an employee during fertility treatment.
Technorati Tags:
ivf, infertility, infertility treatments, infertility treatment, fertility
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