Why Reproductive Health Should Be Prioritised In The Workplace

Business team, empowerment and female meeting in casual work environment. Trust, collaboration and diversity in an inclusive company. Coaching, motivation and positive woman working in leadership

Reproductive Health Benefits are reminiscent of mental health benefits 10 years ago. No longer a “nice to have”, they are rapidly becoming a “need to have” for forward-thinking employers. 

1 in 3 women experience a severe reproductive health condition, but only 50% actively seek help, regardless of symptom severity. Putting that into perspective, if you have a workforce of 5,000 women, this means over 800 women in your workforce are not getting access to the care they need. 

Reproductive health conditions can have a significant impact on both an employee’s physical and mental health. Yet, organisations traditionally have not recognised these conditions as relevant in a workplace setting. 

Many employees do not feel comfortable speaking about their reproductive health with their line managers due to the symptom dismissal and stigmatisation of these issues as simply “women’s problems”. This means they are often left to suffer in silence. 

The strain that dealing with these conditions alone can have on employees often results in a loss of productivity, absenteeism and, ultimately, exiting the workforce. Many employees also feel that these issues negatively affect their earnings and opportunities for promotion in comparison to their male peers. 

Considering reproductive health in the workplace helps employees to feel heard, supported and empowered to take control of their reproductive journeys. 

How can you become a reproductive health-focused employer? 

By providing comprehensive reproductive health benefits, you will be adopting a life-course approach to healthcare, supporting your employees from Menstruation through Menopause. Approaching reproductive health directly helps employers to attract & retain diverse talent and promote an inclusive culture. 

  1. Put the policies in place to support your employees. 

These can include policies that cover all aspects of reproductive health such as fertility, miscarriage, family-forming and menopause policies. 

  1. Open up the conversation and tackle the stigma through Education. 

By addressing reproductive health in the workplace through expert-delivered educational workshops, you will provide your employees with the tools to discuss their own reproductive health. 

  1. Create a supportive, compassionate workplace environment

Many reproductive health conditions are a long-term struggle, showing empathy and understanding will lead to retention and positive workplace culture. 

  1. Partner with an Expert Reproductive Health Provider 

Hertility is driving this change, a company dedicated to shifting the perspective, bringing clarity to every body through science-backed hormone testing and care that fits conveniently into the lives of as many women as possible. 

About Hertility 

An employee taking her health into her own hands by assessing her reproductive health and fertility via Hertility’s diagnostic finger prick blood test

Hertility is a digital health company built by women, for women. We’re shaping the future of reproductive healthcare and working with the world’s most forward thinking companies to reimagine the workplace of tomorrow and finally make gender equality a reality. 

The workplace wasn’t designed with women in mind, we’re here to change that. Through expert educational workshops, at-home testing, data-driven diagnostics and fast-tracked access to specialist care, we’re empowering employees to proactively take control of their reproductive health from menstruation through menopause. 

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For progressive employers, where being Fertility-Friendly is no longer enough, Hertility is the only way to become ReProductively-Responsible to attract, support and retain a diverse, thriving and innovative workforce. 

 

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