Fertility Awareness in the Workplace with Sims IVF

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For many employees, the journey towards parenthood is not straightforward. Fertility challenges affect people from every background and culture, 1 in 6 couples will struggle with their fertility, yet discussions and awareness around fertility in the workplace often remain hidden behind silence, stigma and fear.

At Sims IVF, we work with individuals and couples every day who are trying to balance the physical and emotional demands of fertility treatment alongside busy professional lives. What is often misunderstood is that fertility treatment is not simply a one-off appointment - it can be an ongoing process filled with ups and downs that impacts physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships, finances and confidence in the workplace.

Many employees undergoing treatment continue to work while attending early morning scans, medical procedures, consultations and appointments, often without disclosing. Some worry that speaking openly could affect perceptions of their commitment, attendance or career progression. Others fear stigma around future parental leave or being viewed differently by colleagues and managers. This silence can create an additional emotional burden at an already vulnerable time and impact their life in and out of work.

Understanding the hidden impact of fertility treatment

Fertility treatment can involve significant physical and psychological challenges. Hormonal medications may cause fatigue, discomfort, anxiety and mood changes. Treatment cycles can be unpredictable and emotionally draining. Importantly, the emotional impact is not limited to the person undergoing treatment. Patient’s partners and families can also experience stress, anxiety, helplessness and emotional exhaustion while trying to support their loved one through the process.

Employees may be navigating grief, disappointment or repeated cycles of hope and loss while continuing to meet professional expectations.

Why fertility awareness in the workplace matters

As conversations around workplace wellbeing continue to evolve, fertility support is becoming an increasingly important part of inclusive and compassionate workplace cultures.

Employees who feel supported by their employer during significant life experiences are more likely to remain engaged, loyal and connected to their organisation. In contrast, employees who feel they must hide their fertility journey may experience increased stress, absenteeism, disengagement and isolation.

Creating fertility-aware workplaces does not require organisations to have all the answers. Often, the most meaningful support begins with awareness, empathy and flexibility for those undergoing treatment.

Simple measures can make a significant difference to employees, including:

• Fostering a safe environment where employees can have compassionate and confidential conversations.
• Providing flexibility for appointments where possible.
• Training managers on fertility awareness and sensitivity.
• Creating and implementing fertility supports and allocated leave within HR policies.
• Recognising that partners and families may also require support and can be affected during this time.

Supporting staff through fertility treatment

Co-workers also play an important role in creating supportive environments. While many people may not know exactly what to say, empathy and understanding can go a long way.

Support can be as simple as:

• Respecting co-workers' privacy and confidentiality.
• Avoiding intrusive questions or assumptions about family planning i.e “You’re just married, when is the baby coming?”
• Offering flexibility or practical support where appropriate.
• Checking in with kindness rather than pressure if someone is struggling with deadlines or commitments.
• Understanding that emotional responses may fluctuate during treatment.

The role of the employer

Fertility support is not simply a wellbeing initiative; it is also an important part of employee engagement, retention and inclusive workplace culture.

At Sims IVF, we are passionate about supporting organisations that want to better understand and support employees navigating fertility journeys. Through our corporate partnerships, we work with companies to provide fertility education, workplace guidance and access to supportive resources for employees and HR teams alike.

Many organisations are also choosing to offer fertility-related benefits or discounted access to treatment as part of broader employee wellbeing strategies. These initiatives can help employees feel valued and supported both personally and professionally. Importantly, fertility support in the workplace is not about special treatment; it is about recognising that employees are living with hopes and challenges beyond their job titles.

At Sims IVF, we are proud to partner with organisations that want to better support employees on their journey towards parenthood.

Our Corporate Partner Programme offers companies access to discounted fertility treatment rates for staff across all Sims clinics, helping make fertility care more accessible and less financially overwhelming. Beyond treatment access, we also provide fertility awareness webinars, in-person education sessions, HR policy guidance and workplace wellbeing support to help organisation leaders better understand the challenges employees and their partners may face during fertility treatment. Our goal is to help foster compassionate, informed workplace cultures that support employee wellbeing, engagement and retention while reducing the stigma often associated with fertility challenges.

By Niamh Doran, Group HR Manager, Sims IVF 
www.sims.ie