Infertility is common. One in eight couples experience infertility in the U.S., outpacing diseases like diabetes and cancer. 50 million couples worldwide experience infertility. Infertility affects our mental health, prevents us from bringing our best selves to work, influences our career decisions — and can even send us into financial debt. Most insurance companies don’t cover fertility treatments, and if they do, an infertility diagnosis is required, excluding LGBTQ+ people, single intending parents, and more. For those who experience infertility or the challenges of family forming of any kind, the silence can preclude them from seeking the support they need from their employers. And with one third of our lives spent at work and the majority of Americans receiving health insurance through their employer, it makes sense that the workplace plays an important part of a support system.
Infertility is common. One in eight couples experience infertility in the U.S., outpacing diseases like diabetes and cancer. 50 million couples worldwide experience infertility. Infertility affects our mental health, prevents us from bringing our best selves to work, influences our career decisions — and can even send us into financial debt. Most insurance companies don’t cover fertility treatments, and if they do, an infertility diagnosis is required, excluding LGBTQ+ people, single intending parents, and more. For those who experience infertility or the challenges of family forming of any kind, the silence can preclude them from seeking the support they need from their employers. And with one third of our lives spent at work and the majority of Americans receiving health insurance through their employer, it makes sense that the workplace plays an important part of a support system.
We partnered with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to survey people on how they feel about fertility topics at work, learn what programs are currently in place, and gain a better understanding of how people can be supported in their fertility and family-forming journeys. Our aim with this report is to use data and stories to shine a light on the importance of supporting employees in their fertility and family-forming journeys at work and normalize conversions about this vital part of human healthcare.
We partnered with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to survey people on how they feel about fertility topics at work, learn what programs are currently in place, and gain a better understanding of how people can be supported in their fertility and family-forming journeys. Our aim with this report is to use data and stories to shine a light on the importance of supporting employees in their fertility and family-forming journeys at work and normalize conversions about this vital part of human healthcare.
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Fertility treatments are more common, but 62% of people would share dental surgery before disclosing information related to their
fertility.
30% don't know who in their company is covered by fertility benefits
30% don't know who in their company is covered by fertility benefits
For Millennials and Generation Z, fertility benefits may be the key to attracting great talent, winning the loyalty of current and prospective employees, and keeping people productive and engaged at work. Our survey found that 77% of employees would stay at their company longer if their employer offered fertility benefits. A large majority (88%) would even consider changing jobs for access to fertility benefits, and 74% said they’ve spent time researching fertility treatments and family forming while at work.
For Millennials and Generation Z, fertility benefits may be the key to attracting great talent, winning the loyalty of current and prospective employees, and keeping people productive and engaged at work. Our survey found that 77% of employees would stay at their company longer if their employer offered fertility benefits. A large majority (88%) would even consider changing jobs for access to fertility benefits, and 74% said they’ve spent time researching fertility treatments and family forming while at work.
74% of respondents have spent time doing research about fertility treatments and family forming while at work.
74% of respondents have spent
time doing research about
fertility treatments and family
forming while at work.
A recent study carried out in Ireland by Carrot partner and leading fertility clinic Sims IVF found that 79% of respondents did not feel adequately supported in their workplace when undergoing fertility treatment. The respondents, who were primarily female (97%), reported being hesitant to approach their male managers, fearing stigma and concerns over the potential impact on promotion and career progression.
Does having leaders that identify as women and/or parents increase the likelihood that a company will support fertility care and family forming? Our results found that there was not, in fact, a correlation between women and parents in leadership and companies that offer fertility benefits.
Does having leaders that identify as women and/or parents increase the likelihood that a company will support fertility care and family forming? Our results found that there was not, in fact, a correlation between women and parents in leadership and companies that offer fertility benefits.
Once the domain of large tech companies, today companies that offer fertility benefits span industries including retail, professional sports, financial services, food and beverage, transportation, entertainment, and more. But there is still more work to do. Our survey found that 25% of financial services companies offer fertility benefits, followed by 21% of professional services, and 21% of technology companies. Education trails most industries with 65% of employees who don’t have access to fertility benefits through their employer.
Once the domain of large tech companies, today companies that offer fertility benefits span industries including retail, professional sports, financial services, food and beverage, transportation, entertainment, and more. But there is still more work to do. Our survey found that 25% of financial services companies offer fertility benefits, followed by 21% of professional services, and 21% of technology companies. Education trails most industries with 65% of employees who don’t have access to fertility benefits through their employer.
Fertility and family-forming care is a fundamental part of healthcare. For those undergoing fertility treatments or navigating complex family forming such as adoption and surrogacy, the experience is often isolating and can take a heavy toll on their physical and mental health. It can last many months or even years and have a cascading effect on the workplace, impacting recruitment and retention, productivity, and employee health and morale.
Many world-class companies already understand the value of offering financial, medical, and emotional fertility and family-forming support to attract and keep great employees. Though companies cannot — and should not — break the bank to provide financial coverage for fertility care, every company can provide some coverage. Every company can adopt some internal practices to support their employees in this vital part of human healthcare. But it all starts with a conversation.
So let’s start. It’s time to talk about fertility at work.
Fertility and family-forming care is a fundamental part of healthcare. For those undergoing fertility treatments or navigating complex family forming such as adoption and surrogacy, the experience is often isolating and can take a heavy toll on their physical and mental health. It can last many months or even years and have a cascading effect on the workplace, impacting recruitment and retention, productivity, and employee health and morale.
Many world-class companies already understand the value of offering financial, medical, and emotional fertility and family-forming support to attract and keep great employees. Though companies cannot — and should not — break the bank to provide financial coverage for fertility care, every company can provide some coverage. Every company can adopt some internal practices to support their employees in this vital part of human healthcare. But it all starts with a conversation.
So let’s start. It’s time to talk about fertility at work.
In May 2021, Carrot Fertility and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association conducted an online survey to explore the effects of fertility and family forming on employee well-being, retention, and recruitment. The survey was shared via email and social media to RESOLVE’s constituent database and followers and garnered 1,061 responses.
Demographically-speaking, the majority of our respondents were female (97%), followed by male (2%), non-binary (0.3%), and transgender / transgender male (0.1%) respondents. Respondents were split across age groups with 7% in the 25-29 range, 31% in the 30-34 range, 37% in the 35-39 range, and 5% in the 45-49 range. The majority of respondents are married or in a domestic partnership (94%), followed by single (3%) and dating seriously (3%). Less than 1% responded that they are dating casually.
Carrot Fertility is the leading global fertility benefits provider for employers, built to support employees through their entire fertility healthcare journey. Companies use Carrot to customize a fertility benefit that provides employees financial, medical, and emotional support as they pursue parenthood, reducing healthcare costs and resulting in better clinical outcomes. Carrot's clinically-managed program includes fertility preservation like egg, embryo, and sperm freezing; in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor and gestational carrier services, and adoption; Carrot Rx®, a premium pharmacy experience, at significant savings; Carrot Pregnancy; and the Carrot Card®, a flexible fertility benefits debit card employees can use to pay for their care. Carrot supports companies in more than 55 countries across North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options.
