Women on IVF facing ‘shocking’ discrimination

Almost one in four women undergoing fertility treatment are treated unfairly at work, a new report from Pregnant Then Screwed has stated. The research, released in April during Infertility Awareness Week, “lifts the lid on shocking discrimination”, according to the motherhood charity, showing that “being transparent about fertility can be costly to women’s careers”.

Of the 42% of women who told their boss they were going through fertility treatment, 24% said they received no support and 24% said they were treated unfairly as a result. In addition, of the 29% of women employees who told their boss about a pregnancy loss, 22% reported unfair treatment, compared to 6% of their partners.

Pregnant Then Screwed has responded by launching a programme to educate employers on how to deal with reproductive issues in the workplace.