Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, Nickie Aiken, has brought forward legislation setting out to give employees the workplace right to take time off for medical appointments relating to fertility treatment.
3.5 million people in the UK are struggling to conceive naturally, with many turning to fertility treatment such as IVF.
Employment legislation only allows time-off for pregnancy, maternity and paternity antenatal care, meaning many employers put fertility treatment in the same category as cosmetic surgery! This should not be the case in 2022.
In Parliament, Nickie was proud to bring her Bill, the Fertility Treatment (Employment Rights) Bill, forward for its Second Reading. Cross-party colleagues spoke out and shared stories from people across the country about the treatment they have faced. During the debate, Nickie shared Ann’s story, a Two Cities resident, who lost their job after their employer found out about their fertility treatment. Ann was forced to choose between having a child or keeping the job she loved. This should never have been the case.
At the same time as my legislation, Nickie is working with incredible organisations Fertility Matters at Work, Burgess Mee, and Fertility Network UK on the Fertility Workplace Pledge, a voluntary commitment for employers to sign up to and raise awareness of fertility treatment and support those going through it. It’s already supported by major companies like NatWest, Metro Bank, UK Hospitality, and Channel 4. Find out more about the Fertility Workplace Pledge here.
