How to support a colleague through IVF

The F Word at Work

Welcome back to The F Word at Work, we’re now in our 4th series and we really hope you’ve found our content useful and have either included it in your resources on this conversation or have been sharing it with colleagues. If not - please do as this series is a ‘How to’ guide to enable you to support colleagues through the many different routes to parenthood and it will be a really useful touch point for anyone you’re trying to get to understand more about the challenges that come with family building.

In our first episode, were’ speaking to Caroline Cook, Head of Patient Experience at Apricity and former NHS midwife, to our series kickoff. Apricity are also our series sponsor, so we’re delighted that Caroline could join us to launch this series. She brings a wealth of experience and a personal touch to the conversation. Her deep understanding of fertility treatments and dedication to enhancing patient care make her a valuable voice in advocating for workplace support and inclusivity.

Here’s a glimpse into our conversation:

• Caroline shares key takeaways from the ESHRE conference in Amsterdam, focusing on the latest developments in IVF and the growing need for workplace support for fertility care.
• She discusses her transition from NHS midwifery to private fertility care, including her own fertility experiences, providing valuable perspectives from both a professional and personal standpoint.
• We cover practical advice for managers and HR professionals on creating a supportive work environment. Topics include inclusive policies, understanding fertility treatments, and addressing unconscious bias.
• We talked about the importance of kindness, flexibility, and empathy in the workplace, especially regarding fertility challenges.
• Caroline offers guidance on handling discussions about fertility at work, including when to inquire about personal updates and respecting boundaries.
• We discuss feedback from our audience about their experiences with workplace support and the need for a compassionate approach during fertility treatments.

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