An egg donor has joined a growing movement advocating for paid leave for individuals undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in the UK. Olivia France, a 35-year-old medical lecturer from Canterbury, argues that similar provisions exist for other medical procedures and fertility treatments should be treated equally.
France has navigated her own appointments around professional obligations, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals seeking fertility treatment. “I absolutely think women should be allowed paid leave,” she stated. “You can get it for other medical procedures, so why shouldn’t you for IVF? It makes the process more accessible and removes some of the negatives.” She added that using annual or sick leave for such vital treatments often feels like a penalty.
France has donated her eggs twice in the past year, a process that required her to administer hormone injections twice daily for two weeks, followed by a day surgery in London. “In my case, it meant travelling early in the morning, having the procedure, being monitored for a couple of hours and then heading home,” she explained.
Despite the increasing prevalence of IVF—where one in 153 children is conceived using donor eggs or sperm—there is currently no legal requirement for UK employers to provide paid leave for related appointments.
Workplace Support and Employee Rights
Antonio Fletcher, an associate director at corporate law specialists Whitehead Monckton, noted that many employers hesitate to extend rights not explicitly mandated by legislation. “They fear creating a precedent, allowing others to request time off for different reasons,” he said. Yet, he emphasized that offering flexibility can generate goodwill and make companies more attractive in a competitive job market.
Dr. Marianne Vendola, deputy clinical director at the London Egg Bank, also criticized the lack of workplace support. She argued that it fails to represent the evolving societal norms regarding women’s reproductive rights. “It’s a shame we’re not understanding this big change,” she remarked. “We should look at women differently now. They should have the freedom to get pregnant when it’s right for them, and they need to be supported.”
The renewed advocacy for paid leave follows recent calls from Labour MP Alice Macdonald, who urged for paid time off for individuals undergoing fertility treatment, as well as partners attending appointments. Macdonald emphasized that this issue is one of fairness, prompting her colleagues to consider “whether we have a moral duty to level the playing field for those who, through no fault of their own, find themselves struggling to get pregnant.”
Macdonald pointed out that the absence of a legal right to paid leave has forced many women to hide their treatment from employers, depleting their annual leave. This practice can lead to disciplinary actions, which not only adds to the stress but also affects their physical and mental well-being.
As the conversation around workplace policies for IVF continues to evolve, advocates hope that public awareness will lead to meaningful changes, offering essential support to those navigating the complex journey of fertility treatment.
