Brightening the baby blues - the employers picking up the fertility treatment bill

From fiscal packages to time off for appointments - some employers are offering 'next level' fertility supports - should you?
HR Grapevine
HR Grapevine | Executive Grapevine International Ltd
Brightening the baby blues - the employers picking up the fertility treatment bill
Fertility issues impact 3.5 million in the UK

The promise of a brand new year brings renewed hopes for starting a family but, with the World Health Organisation reporting that 17.5% of the adult population worldwide experience infertility issues, those dreams can be dashed and together with hefty costs for treatment many employees are left with a dead end. HR Grapevine reports on the employers going the extra mile by footing the bill for desperate couples turning to fertility treatment.

Fertility woes are felt by 3.5 million

In the UK alone, the WHO reports that those fertility issues equate to approximately 3.5 million people in the UK. That’s an awful lot of potential parents if you line them all up. Age is also a factor when seeking NHS treatment, almost half (46%) will only offer IVF if the maternal partner is aged under 40 and three-quarters won’t fund IVF if either partner has any living children – even if they are from previous relationships.

For these reasons many couples turn to private clinics where packages can vary widely. Many are reputed to cost 50% more than advertised and with prices ranging between £3,500 - £7,000 per cycle with own eggs and without medication for many it is out of their fiscal reach, particularly as the cost of living for most has already spiralled.

This leaves many couples feeling as though they have nowhere to turn – keeping a roof over their heads can be hard enough even with two incomes. Employers that tap into helping their employees on the journey to parenthood are finding that financial packages can help make it possible.

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