^ 1. Nickie introduced her Fertility Treatment Employment Rights Private Members' Bill to Parliament. 2. Sat down with the Minister for Small Business, Paul Scully MP, to make the case to improve IVF support in the workplace. 3. Nickie joined Becky Kearns and Natalie Sutherland at the In/Fertility in the City event.
One in six couples are affected by infertility and turn to IVF, but currently, employees must take time off to attend early stages of IVF treatment.
Unlike employment legislation for pregnancy, maternity and paternity antenatal care, there is no requirement for employers to give time off work for IVF treatment.
Furthermore, most workplace protection policies exclude “elective” medical processes, placing fertility treatment in the same category as cosmetic surgery.
Nickie believes IVF treatment should be categorised as antenatal and thus patients be given the same work rights. Nickie is campaigning to secure a change in the law to ensure individuals and couples are given the rights they deserve at what is already an incredibly stressful time. Nickie was pleased to meet with Paul Scully MP, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, to raise my campaign and look at the legislative routes to effect change.
In June, Nickie brought forward legislation via a Private Members' Bill which if passed by Parliament would give those going through IVF treatment the right to paid leave for medical appointments. Nickie's Bill will have its Second Reading on 25 November 2022 and over the coming months, she will be lobbying Ministers and colleagues to make the case for why this legislation is crucial.
Catch Nickie's conversation with Becky Kearns and Claire Ingle from Fertility Matters at Work and Natalie Sutherland from Burgess Mee, a law firm that helps families with fertility law.
Nickie also sat down with Anya Sizer of Fertility Network UK and racing driver, Toby Trice, who advocates for better awareness around fertility treatment. Listen to their conversation and hear more about what they had to say.
Campaign in the news
July 2022
BBC News - Fighting for rights for workers undergoing fertility treatment
People Management - Why is fertility treatment still such taboo at work?
June 2022
Evening Standard - Allow employees paid leave to attend fertility treatment appointments, MP says
HR News - New report reveals shocking 72% of people feel fertility undervalued in the workplace
Huffington Post - Hopeful Parents Might Soon Get Paid Time Off For IVF. Here's Why They Need It
Independent - Allow employees paid leave to attend fertility treatment appointments, MP says
May 2022
Grazia Daily - 'Women Going Through IVF Need Protection In The Workplace'
iNews - The physical toll of IVF: Swollen ovaries, bruising and injections in public toilets
Marie Claire - A campaign to give IVF couples statutory time off has reached parliament
The Times - Women undergoing IVF complain of workplace discrimination
You Magazine - IVF discrimination is forcing women out of jobs, according to an MP
