Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

IVF Campaigners Ask EHRC to Reclassify Treatment as Medical and Mandate Appointment Leave

New survey findings reveal widespread mental strain and career disruption among IVF patients, prompting a formal petition to update guidance for employers.

Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The petition asks the Equality and Human Rights Commission to recategorize IVF as a medical procedure to secure automatic leave for fertility appointments.
  • Fertility Matters At Work’s survey of more than 1,000 UK employees found 99% said IVF acted as a major mental health stressor and 87% reported treatment-related anxiety or depression.
  • 38% of participants left or considered leaving their jobs due to the toll of fertility treatment, and 68% felt it negatively affected their career progression.
  • Current EHRC guidance places IVF alongside cosmetic treatments, enabling employers to refuse time off and fostering secrecy and stigma at work.
  • Labour MP Alice MacDonald has urged the government to update employment rights for fertility patients, but no formal changes have been made to the code of practice.