Why fertility support at work is becoming a retention strategy

Fertility is often treated as a niche or personal issue at work. In reality, fertility support at work addresses a widespread, emotionally demanding life stage that affects a significant proportion of the workforce, with direct implications for retention, engagement and performance.

Around 1 in 6 people experience fertility challenges. That includes IVF, miscarriage, fertility preservation, and navigating complex journeys such as solo, trans or LGBTQ+ family building. These experiences rarely happen in isolation from work. More often, employees are managing treatment, appointments and emotional strain while trying to remain productive and visible.

Fertility is not a niche workplace issue

Many employees going through fertility treatment never disclose it at work. The reasons are understandable: fear of stigma, concern about career impact, or uncertainty about what fertility support is available through their employer.

As a result, fertility challenges often remain invisible, until performance drops or an employee quietly disengages.

Fertility journeys can include:

• Multiple appointments with little notice

• Strict treatment timelines

• Hormonal side effects that affect mood, sleep and concentration

• Emotional strain linked to uncertainty, loss or unsuccessful cycles

Without support at work, employees are left to manage all of this alone.

The hidden workplace impact of fertility challenges

Because fertility is so personal, its impact on the business is often hidden.

Common consequences include:

• Unplanned absence: IVF and other treatments involve frequent appointments that don’t align neatly with the working day. Employees undergoing IVF can miss an average of 8–9 working days per cycle.

• The emotional load: The psychological impact of fertility treatment has been compared to that of serious illness. This invisible strain affects focus, confidence and day-to-day performance.

• Silent exits: Around 1 in 3 employees undergoing fertility treatment consider leaving their job. Many feel forced to choose between career progression and building a family, leading to disengagement or exit without ever explaining why.

From an employer perspective, this looks like unexpected turnover rather than a predictable, preventable risk.

Why standard workplace benefits fall short for fertility

Most traditional health benefits have a clear fertility gap.

• Private medical insurance often stops at diagnostics: Many policies cover initial tests but not the complexity of treatment decisions, outcomes or emotional support.
  
  

• EAPs lack fertility expertise: Generalist services are rarely equipped to provide meaningful clinical or emotional guidance for fertility challenges.
  
  

• Managers want to help, but often don’t know how: Line managers are often unsure what’s appropriate to say or do.

As a result, employees are left navigating one of the most significant periods of their lives without structured workplace support.

What effective fertility support at work looks like

Effective fertility support bridges the gap between medical treatment and workplace reality.

It includes:

• Specialist clinical guidance: Access to expert fertility clinicians who can explain test results, treatment options and next steps clearly and compassionately.
  
  

• Support for every path: Whether an employee is in treatment, planning ahead or navigating alternative routes to parenthood, specialist support ensures no one is left to manage complex decisions alone.
  
  

• Integrated emotional care: Fertility journeys often include loss, grief and uncertainty. Ongoing emotional support helps employees stay engaged and resilient at work.

Peppy’s fertility service is designed around this model, offering specialist clinical and emotional support across pre-conception, fertility treatment, unsuccessful outcomes and early pregnancy. All delivered through confidential one-to-one messaging, video consultations and curated resources .

The business outcomes of supporting fertility at work

Employers who provide dedicated fertility support see clear cultural and commercial benefits, including:

• Reduced short-term absence through better planning and clinical guidance

• Higher engagement, with 70% of employees feeling more positive about their employer when fertility support is available

• Stronger trust and loyalty, built by supporting employees through one of the most challenging periods of their lives

When employees don’t have to choose between work and treatment, retention improves and performance stabilises.

Learn more about Peppy's Fertility service

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Why fertility support matters now

Fertility challenges are common, emotionally intense and often time-sensitive. Without specialist support, employers absorb the cost through disengagement, absence and avoidable turnover.

Those who act early shift fertility from a hidden risk to a retention strategy, supporting people at the moments that matter most.

Final takeaway for HR and benefits leaders

Fertility support at work is a strategic investment in retention, engagement and trust.

When employers support fertility properly, employees stay and businesses keep their talent.

If you want to support employees through fertility challenges and reduce avoidable turnover, get in touch.