Experiences of combining work and infertility treatment

The needs and experiences of employed people having treatment to become parents have been neglected in research and policy to support work and family. However, conflict between work and non-work life is likely to be particularly problematic for the annual estimated 45,000 people in the UK undergoing the long, physically and psychologically demanding process of fertility treatment. Unlike expectant and existing parents, MAR users are not supported at work by statutory entitlements, and dedicated workplace policies are rare. Furthermore, they may fear disclosure in the workplace, particularly if the culture is not supportive, and especially in the current economic climate. Through in depth interviews with 37 employees who were having or had recently had treatment (including 31 women and six men) this research aimed to: i) explore the experiences of combining work and treatment; ii) identify perceived barriers to and supports for the successful combination of work and treatment; and iii) explore how employees having treatment define their situations in terms of their expectations and perceived sense of entitlement to workplace supports. Preliminary themes identified using thematic analysis included: combining work and treatment, disclosure, support for combining work and treatment and perceived sense of entitlement to be supported.