This research examines how fertility treatment affects staff mental health, wellbeing, and work/life balance at Birkbeck, aiming to inform policies for better support of employees undergoing treatment. The study addresses the growing need for workplace support on fertility challenges.

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Funders

• 2025-2026. IFRC: Wellcome

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This project investigates how fertility treatment affects the mental health, wellbeing, and work/life balance of staff across all faculties at Birkbeck. In collaboration with Fertility Matters at Work UK (FMAW) and Perinatal Psychologist Julianne Boutaleb, an in-depth survey and workshop will gather staff experiences of fertility treatment. The survey will capture anonymised data on how fertility treatment impacts work performance, wellbeing, research, and teaching responsibilities, particularly for those working in areas related to sensitive topics like pregnancy. An in-person workshop will be facilitated by Julianne Boutaleb, offering staff who volunteered during the survey process the opportunity to share personal experiences and discuss challenges. A second workshop will be run by the lead applicant as part of the Centre for Medical and Health Humanities which will be open to all staff at Birkbeck to discuss fertility related issues and learn more about the topic. FMAW will analyse the survey and workshop data, reviewing current HR policies to identify gaps and develop evidence-based recommendations for institutional improvements in supporting staff undergoing fertility treatment. By examining how fertility challenges influence staff, the project aims to provide policy recommendations for Birkbeck that improve support and contribute to a more inclusive workplace.

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Aims and Objectives:

 

• To evaluate the support available to staff undergoing fertility treatment.

• To assess how fertility treatment impacts staff ability to carry out duties, including teaching, research, and participation in professional development opportunities.

• To explore the psychological and emotional wellbeing of staff undergoing fertility treatment, and how it affects their work/life balance.

• To generate evidence-based recommendations for Birkbeck to improve policies and practices for supporting staff during fertility treatment.

 

Methodology:

 

• Survey Design/Distribution: An anonymised survey will collect employees' perceptions of the support they receive during fertility treatment, the impact on work, and suggestions for improvement. The survey will be developed using Jisc with input from FMAW.

• Data Interpretation: The anonymised data will be interpreted by the lead applicant with support from the research assistant. Emphasis will be placed on identifying key themes related to mental health, wellbeing, and work/life balance.

• Workshop 1: An in-person workshop will invite staff members who responded to the survey and agreed to workshop attendance. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their lived experiences. Workshop 1 will be led by FMAW and Julianne Boutaleb, Consultant Perinatal Psychologist.

• Workshop 2: As part of the Centre for Medical and Health Humanities, the lead applicant will host a workshop for all staff. The goal is to foster a broader research culture by encouraging everyone to engage with the topic, learn about the challenges, and contribute to the ongoing conversation.

• External Review: FMAW will review the survey data and workshop data alongside Birkbeck’s existing HR policies and procedures. FMAW will appraise how well the current policies align with the needs of staff undergoing fertility treatment and provide insights into areas for improvement.

• Recommendations: The lead applicant will write a report outlining how fertility treatment impacts staff and what recommendations have been identified.

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