How to support fertility treatment and miscarriage at work

Why Irish employers need clear policies for fertility and miscarriage

In every workplace, whether it’s a small creative team or a growing tech company, personal struggles walk through the doors with us.

Often invisible, often hidden, and too often unsupported.

Let’s focus on fertility treatment and miscarriage, and why Irish employers need clear, human-first policies around them.

The Reality Behind the Silence

The numbers speak for themselves:

• It is estimated that around 1 in 6 heterosexual couples in Ireland face fertility challenges and may need IVF (include gay couples and women going it alone and the numbers rise)
• An estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, most within the first 12 weeks

Now imagine a small organisation of just 30 employees. Statistically, at least 5 people will be directly affected by one or more of these situations, often silently.

The Workplace Impact

Without a clear and supportive policy, individuals facing these challenges often:

• Feel they have to hide what they’re going through
• Avoid asking for time off out of guilt or shame
• End up needing a doctor’s certificate for something that may just need space and sensitivity
• Take more time off overall, especially if they’re not supported early

The Power of Policy

A clear, compassionate policy sends a powerful message: “We see you. We support you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

It helps managers know how to respond. It takes the guesswork and discomfort out of the equation. And it builds trust — the kind of trust that drives loyalty, retention, and wellbeing.

To Make It Easy: A Free Draft Policy for Employers in Ireland

To help, I’ve created a free draft policy covering time off and support for:

• Fertility treatment
• Miscarriage
  

It’s designed for organisations in Ireland and can be amended to fit your culture and context. It includes language that’s supportive but practical, and aligned with legal considerations.

Let’s Lead with Humanity

People-first policies aren’t a “nice to have.” They’re foundational to a modern, inclusive workplace.

By addressing life’s hardest moments with empathy and structure, we build teams that are not just productive, but also resilient and loyal.

If you’d like the policy, just email me at alex@alexkotsos.com or drop me a message on LinkedIn.

Let’s make workplaces better, together.