The team at City Fertility is pleased to partner with the Pink Elephants Support Network (PESN) to call for workplace support for those employees who may be facing pregnancy loss and or undergoing fertility treatment.
According to a report – The State of Early Pregnancy Loss & Fertility Support in the Workplace 2024 – released by Pink Elephants, three out of four workplaces are not equipped to meet the needs of those experiencing miscarriage and challenges associated with trying to conceive.
More than two-thirds of women said they had received no support from Human Resources at all and 63.79 per cent of respondents admitted that they were interested in support for the emotional aspects of loss.
The newly released report from Australia’s leading early pregnancy loss support charity is based on a forum that saw 27 industry experts and medical professionals gather for a Fertility and Loss in the Workplace roundtable event.
When looking at the general population, one in four pregnancies end in loss; 150,000 women and their partners losing a baby during pregnancy every year; and one in six couples struggling to conceive, City Fertility is joining forces with Pink Elephant to lobby for greater workplace support.
City Fertility’s Sydney CBD Medical Director and fertility specialist of more than 25 years, Dr Devora Lieberman specialises in recurrent miscarriage.
“Fertility treatment can be taxing not only emotionally and physically, but also on time,” Dr Lieberman explained. “The same is true for people experiencing miscarriage, particularly after a prolonged time to conception.
“People may not feel comfortable disclosing reasons for absences from work for several reasons. Many feel it’s too personal. They may be concerned about shame or stigma.
“Others worry that admitting to trying to conceive may negatively impact them at work in terms of assignments or career advancement.”
PESN and City Fertility have come together to host live panel events in Sydney and Melbourne that will see various industry experts share an enhanced understanding of infertility and loss, and the role and responsibilities workplaces have.
To access the PESN Workplace Program Report visit: www.pinkelephants.org.au/page/392/2024-workplace-report
To further support workplaces, City Fertility proudly invites workplaces to partner with us in championing inclusive fertility benefits as part of our complimentary corporate program.
This Fertility Benefits program presents an opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to acknowledge fertility as a health issue and support employees who may be dealing with infertility or want to plan for their future fertility through egg freezing.
For more information visit www.cityfertility.com.au/contact-us/fertility-wellness-program or email us on wellnessbenefits@cityfertility.com.au
