Education

Leadership Coaching for Women Facing Fertility Challenges

Professional women who are trying to conceive face unique challenges that can significantly impact their work performance and emotional well-being. For many women, the journey to parenthood involves dealing with infertility issues, which can be both physically and emotionally taxing.

Tired business woman navigating fertility challenges

1 IN 6

The proportion of Canadians who experience infertility (CFAS, 2022).

1 IN 4

The number of women who report that fertility treatments have significantly affected their work lives, resulting in increased stress and decreased productivity (Fertility Network UK survey, 2020).

%

The percentage of women undergoing fertility treatments who consider leaving their job due to the strain it places on their professional lives (HR Review, 2022).

%

The percentage of women who did not disclose their treatment to their employer out of fear that the employer wouldn’t take them seriously (Fertility Network UK survey, 2020)
Since infertility is often seen as a taboo subject, many women keep their struggles private. However, fertility challenges can span several years, often requiring numerous medical appointments, invasive treatments, and periods of physical discomfort. This ongoing stress and the need for frequent absences from work can severely impact women’s self-efficacy, workplace productivity, absenteeism rates, and retention.
Businesswoman on a coaching call

The Cost

The economic burden of fertility challenges on the workforce is substantial. Productivity losses related to infertility translate into tangible costs for employers, including:

  • Cost Increases and Revenue Losses: Employees experiencing fertility challenges may struggle to maintain their usual work output, leading to decreased overall productivity.

  • Increased Recruitment and Training Costs: Higher turnover rates occur as employees leave jobs that do not offer adequate support for their fertility challenges, resulting in increased costs for hiring and training new staff.

  • Opportunity costs: Loss of potential revenue and productivity gains that could be realized if these women were properly supported and equipped, empowering them to reach their full potential.

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References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Infertility FAQs.” (2022). CDC
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). “Infertility: Facts and Figures.” (2021). WHO
  3. Segal TR, Giudice LC. Before the beginning: environmental exposures and reproductive and obstetrical outcomes. Fertility and Sterility 2019;112(4):613-21.
  4. Collins ME. The Impact of Infertility on Daily Occupations and Roles. J Reprod Infertil. 2019 Jan-Mar;20(1):24-34. PMID: 30859079; PMCID: PMC6386796. Collins
  5. Klock SC. Psychological issues related to infertility [Internet]. UK: Global Library of Women’s Medicine; 2011. Klock
  6. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). “Reproductive and Infertility Care in Times of Public Health Crises.” (2022). ASRM
  7. Harvard Business Review – “Employers, It’s Time to Talk About Infertility” (2020). HBR
  8. Steyn, F., Sizer, A., Pericleous-Smith, A. “Fertility in the workplace: The emotional, physical and psychological impact of infertility in the workplace.” Human Reproduction, Volume 37, Issue Supplement_1, July 2022, deac104.127. Human Reproduction
  9. Fertility Network UK. (2020). Survey on the Impact of Fertility Treatment on Employment. Retrieved from Fertility Network UK
  10. HR Review. (2022). Impact of Fertility Treatments on Employment. Retrieved from HR Review

Disclaimer: This one-pager offers a summary of key topics in women's health, supported by research data and sources. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not replace detailed academic studies. For more comprehensive and detailed insights, please refer to the original research cited.