Most Irish couples receive no support from work during IVF treatments

There is not enough support offered to couples going through IVF

The mental and physical IVF has on your body and mind is something that shouldn't be dismissed.

However, many couples admitted to feeling unsupported by their workplace during IVF treatment.

Sims IVF discovered that most workplaces did not have a policy in place to support those going through IVF.

The company launched a guide to help Irish companies recognise IVF journeys and the impact it has.

According to their survey, 86% of people said their workplace didn't have a fertility policy.

Niamh Doran, HR Manager at Sims IVF, stated:

"Many Irish employees undergoing fertility treatment have faced a silent struggle, often without the understanding or support they deserve. It’s not that employers are unsympathetic, but often they simply don’t understand the complexities of fertility treatment and its impact on their employees.

"Fertility treatment involves multiple appointments, sometimes at short notice, and people are often left with no option but to use their annual leave or even sick leave.

"Our new guide is designed to encourage employers to recognise the profound impact this journey has on their employees’ lives and to create workplaces where they feel valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their dreams of parenthood."

The news comes after the free IVF scheme was extended to couples who are struggling to conceive their second child.

Couples with one existing child in their relationship, and who meet all other current access criteria, can now access publicly-funded AHR treatment, including one full cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). 

You can read more about the free IVF scheme.