Women’s health in the workplace: key issues to consider

Most employers know their obligations towards pregnant women, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Claire Merritt examines other key issues that affect women at work

IVF and fertility 

Infertility is estimated to affect one in seven heterosexual couples in the UK. There is no statutory right to take time off work to undergo IVF investigations or treatments. IVF appointments should be treated in the same way as other medical appointments.

Women undergoing IVF have limited protection against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. One cycle of IVF takes an average of between four and seven weeks with the medical implantation procedure at the very end. Women only receive protection against discrimination when the fertilised ova are implanted. If the implantation is successful, the woman then receives protection as a pregnant woman. If the implantation is not successful then the protected period ends two weeks later.

To read the full article, click here.