Welcome to the final episode in our current series of The F Word at Work. We've focused on essential conversations to ensure you can support colleagues through the range of family-building challenges that exist.

Our aim was to highlight how it isn't a one size fits all approach and in this conversation, we turn our focus to a topic that has often been overlooked, the experiences of those who are childless not by choice.

Hopefully listening to this will be invaluable whether you’re a colleague, a manager or an HR professional as once again our aim is to help you foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

In this episode, we are joined by Aisha Balasaria, a coach supporting those who are involuntarily childless. Aisha brings deep personal insights and professional expertise to the discussion, helping to shed light on the challenges faced by those who, despite their efforts, are unable to have children.

Here’s what we covered in our conversation:

1. The common misconceptions surrounding those who are childless not by choice, including the assumption that they lack responsibility or stress.
2. The emotional impact of fertility treatment not working and how individuals navigate this profound grief.
3. The workplace challenges faced by those who are childless, from assumptions about their availability to inequitable distribution of work responsibilities.
4. The importance of sensitivity when discussing family and fertility in the workplace, including best practices for pregnancy announcements and baby showers.
5. How to foster a more inclusive definition of family and ensure that all employees feel valued, regardless of their parental status.
6. The significance of language and how reframing conversations can create a more supportive environment.
7. The role of therapy and self-acceptance in navigating life without children, as well as how workplaces can offer appropriate support.
8. Practical steps organisations can take to acknowledge and support childless employees, from policy changes to awareness campaigns and workplace events.

Thank you to Aisha for sharing her personal journey and expert insights with us. If you found this episode meaningful, please share it with your colleagues and encourage your workplace to consider how they can better support those who are childless not by choice.

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Aisha Balesaria | LinkedIn

Insta @mindbodyrevival_coach

Welcome back to our penultimate episode in this series of The F Word at Work. As we continue our mission to make workplaces fertility-friendly we’re bringing you another essential conversation in our 'How to support' series.

So far, our aim has been to give you insights as an HR professional or manager, to feel more confident in supporting a colleague. This episode is slightly different as it's also for you - if you personally are going through this and struggling to get your head around the emotional rollercoaster that comes with family-building challenges.

In this episode, we are joined by Julianne Boutaleb, our Psychological Advisor at FMAW and Julianne is also the founder of Parenthood in Mind. Julianne brings her expertise in reproductive psychology to discuss the emotional impact of fertility struggles in the workplace and how employers can create a supportive environment. Julianne has spoken on the podcast before and we refer to the episodes in the podcast. You can listen to our chat on 'How to deal with the fears we have about becoming parents' here and also 'How infertility impacts your mental health at work' here

Here’s what we cover in our conversation:

The emotional toll of fertility treatments and why support in the workplace is crucial.

The impact of the festive season on those struggling with fertility, including difficult conversations and family gatherings.

How to prepare for the new year without falling into the pressure of new year, new you resolutions.

Practical ways to take stock of existing support systems and create new ones, whether through workplace ERGs, external support groups, or personal networks.

The importance of setting intentions rather than resolutions—focusing on self-care compassion, and seeking the right support.

Addressing the strain on relationships when navigating fertility challenges and why seeking support outside of your partnership can be beneficial.

The often-overlooked struggles of secondary infertility and the grief of not being able to expand a family as planned.

How managers and HR professionals can better support employees facing fertility challenges, from policy inclusion to fostering open conversations.

The importance of recognizing invisible grief in the workplace and ensuring that employees who are childless not by choice feel seen and supported.

Key Takeaways:

Support is not one-size-fits-all.

Every individual’s fertility journey is unique, and workplaces must adopt a nuanced approach to support.

Validation and understanding matter.

A simple acknowledgment of someone’s struggles can make a huge difference.

Colleagues and managers play a vital role.

Whether it’s offering a listening ear, directing employees to suppor resources, or implementing fertility-friendly policies, everyone can contribute to a more inclusive work environment.

Thank you to Julianne for sharing her expertise with us. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with your colleagues and encourage your workplace to take proactive steps in supporting those going through family-building challenges.

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Welcome to our last epsiode of 2024, which is another 'How to support a colleague' episode and this time hears two of our co-founders in conversation. Natalie speaks with Becky about her route to parenthood. Becky, who is also the founder of Paths to Parenthood, shares her personal journey through egg donation and the unique challenges she faced at work during that time.

Becky’s story provides invaluable insights for HR professionals, managers, and colleagues who want to create a supportive and understanding environment.

Here’s what we discuss:

• Becky shares up her decision to pursue egg donation after multiple rounds of IVF and a miscarriage. She talks about the emotional complexities of grieving the loss of using her own eggs while embracing a new path to parenthood.

• From handling unpredictable schedules to dealing with well-meaning but challenging questions, Becky reflects on how she managed work commitments while undergoing egg donation treatment abroad.

• We discuss how well-intentioned comments, like questions about resemblances or the use of terms like “real mum,” can be triggering for those navigating donor conception. Becky offers advice on how colleagues can approach these topics with sensitivity and respect.

• Becky highlights the importance of workplace policies that recognize donor conception and other alternative paths to parenthood. Even a simple acknowledgment in HR policies can make employees feel seen and supported.

• We discuss the importance of emotional support and peer networks for those navigating donor conception, as it’s often a deeply personal and stigmatized journey.

• We talk through the impact of cultural and societal stigmas on donor conception and how workplaces can play a role in shifting narratives and creating a more inclusive environment.

• Becky and Natalie also take a moment to reflect on the highlights of the year, from hosting our F Word at Work Live event during Fertility Week to launching new resources and campaigns that continue to drive awareness around workplace fertility.

Stay Connected:

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In this episode of The F Word at Work, we welcome Shaun Greenaway, known as @knackered_knackers, a male fertility advocate, coach and podcaster as well as being part of our amazing speaker community at Fertility Matters at Work.

Shaun has been doing an incredible job over the last few years in raising awareness of the challenges that so many men face when dealing with family building challenges. In the last year, he's had amazing coverage within the mainstream media as you'll hear him mention and his podcast The Male Fertility Podcast is providing much needed support for men struggling to find the support they need. In this chat, we discuss the challenges he faced and the importance of open conversations about men's health in the workplace.

Here’s a glimpse into our conversation:

• Shaun recounts his diagnosis of azoospermia and the emotional and physical hurdles he encountered during his fertility journey.
• He explores how societal expectations can affect men's mental health and the significance of addressing these issues openly.
• We discuss how to deal with the festive season and the expectation of drinking, how to set boundaries to protect yourself with both friends and family.
• Shaun offers practical advice for employers and colleagues on creating a supportive environment for men dealing with fertility challenges.
• He discusses how platforms like Instagram have been instrumental in connecting men and fostering support networks.
• Shaun emphasizes the importance of initiating conversations about male fertility to reduce stigma and promote understanding.

Thank you for joining us for this important discussion. We hope you find these insights helpful in fostering a supportive workplace culture.

We'd love your support and feedback so please do hit follow and if possible leave a review in the app you are listening to.

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Follow and engage with us to be part of the movement towards fertility-friendly workplaces.

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work! Today, I’m excited to welcome Mel Johnson, the founder of The Stork and I, to the podcast. Mel has been a regular speaker within our community and spoke at The F Word at Work Live summit and she has is part of our amazing community of speakers we bring into organisations to showcase the many routes to parenthood.

In this episode, we continue our series on how to support colleagues through specific paths to parenthood. Mel shares valuable insights from her own journey as a solo mum and addresses the fears and challenges that arise in the workplace when navigating solo parenthood.

Here’s what we cover in our conversation:

• Mel discusses her experience entering solo parenthood and how the awareness around this topic in HR has evolved over the years. She reflects on the lack of understanding and support she encountered at the start of her journey.
• We dive into the various fears individuals face when revealing their solo parenthood journey to colleagues and managers, including concerns about judgment and the pressure to maintain career stability while managing personal choices.
• Mel emphasizes the importance of reframing societal perceptions of parenthood and challenges the traditional narrative that couples must be involved to create a family. She encourages a shift in language that empowers solo parents rather than evoking sympathy.
• We discuss the significance of building a strong support network as a solo parent and how to navigate conversations with colleagues about family structures that differ from the traditional norm.
• Mel highlights the unique challenges solo parents face in balancing work commitments with childcare responsibilities, particularly as some organizations revert to requiring in-office attendance.
• We explore strategies for managers and colleagues to create an inclusive environment that recognizes various family forms, ensuring open dialogues and understanding.
• The importance of continued dialogue about different paths to parenthood is emphasized, encouraging workplaces to acknowledge and adapt to the diverse experiences of their employees.

Mel's insights serve as a crucial reminder of the need for understanding and empathy in workplace conversations about solo parenthood and family-building challenges.

If you are reading this before 20th November 2024, there's still time to register for our next webinar here

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Don't miss out on the dialogue. Follow and engage with us to be part of the movement towards fertility-friendly workplaces.

Welcome back to The F Word at Work! We’re excited to be in our 4th series, focused on how you can support colleagues through their various routes to parenthood.

We hope you’ve found our content useful and have either incorporated it into your resources or shared it with your team. If not, now’s the perfect time to do so!

This series is a comprehensive ‘How to’ guide, offering insights into the challenges of family building and how to address them in the workplace.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Mike Johnson-Ellis, who spoke at The F Word at Work live summit, as part of our intersectionality panel and is one of our guest speakers when we are working with our member organisations.

Mike previously shared his impactful story on our podcast and is one half of Two Dads UK with his partner Wes, has made significant contributions to the surrogacy community. Together, they founded My Surrogacy Journey (MSJ) and the Modern Family Show. At Fertility Matters at Work, we’re delighted to partner with MSJ, and you can learn more about this collaboration in our discussion.

Here’s a glimpse into our conversation:

• Mike outlines the key concerns for employees navigating surrogacy, including the need for upfront communication and the psychological impacts of sharing personal information with their employer.
• We delve into the complexities of surrogacy, such as coordinating schedules between intended parents, surrogates, and potential egg donors, and how these challenges can impact work.
• Mike discusses the current perceptions of surrogacy compared to IVF, highlighting the need for greater awareness and acceptance in the workplace.
• Mike provides practical advice for managers and colleagues on creating a supportive environment for those going through surrogacy, including fostering trust and flexibility.
• We explore the broader challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in their surrogacy journeys, emphasising the need for empathy and understanding.

Thank you to Mike for sharing his insights and to our listeners for tuning in! We encourage you to use the information from this episode to enhance your support for colleagues facing fertility and surrogacy challenges.

If you're reading this before 20th November 2024, you can still register for our next webinar here

Stay Connected:

Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources:

Download our guidance here.

You can book a call to speak with us here.

Explore our services and subscribe to our newsletter here.

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Join the Conversation:

Don't miss out on the dialogue. Follow and engage with us to be part

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work! As always, we're so pleased you've given us your earholes and if this is your first time tuning in, do check out our previous episodes. They feature thought-provoking discussions about why fertility and family-building topics should be a priority on workplace wellbeing agendas. However this fourth series focuses specifically on how to support colleagues through various family-building challenges and it aims to be a really useful toolkit for you.

This episode is landing at the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week in the UK and so we wanted to put the focus on how to support a colleague dealing with pregnancy or baby loss. There is sadly, still such taboo around this topic and all we can hope for, is that by continuing to talk about it, the stigma will lessen over time.

You'll hear Natalie in conversation with Katy Schnitzler, an esteemed trainer and founder of Mist. Katy works regularly with us here at FMAW, using her findings from her academic research around pregnancy loss, miscarriage and the experiences of those who are childless not by choice, particularly their impact in the workplace - to inform the organisations we support. Katy is amazing and a really compelling speaker, plus she is also a lead trainer at the Miscarriage Association, and what you'll learn here in this chat will be invaluable.

Here’s a glimpse into our conversation:

• Katy emphasizes the holistic approach needed when discussing pregnancy loss, highlighting both the physical and emotional implications for those affected in the workplace.
• We explore common misconceptions surrounding pregnancy loss and the potential physical challenges that individuals face, which can significantly impact their work life.
• Katy offers practical advice for managers and HR professionals on how to compassionately support colleagues experiencing pregnancy loss. This includes the importance of using appropriate language and demonstrating genuine empathy.
• We discuss the emotional toll of pregnancy loss not only on the individual but also on their partner, stressing the importance of acknowledging their feelings and experiences as well.
• We talk about the need for workplace policies that address pregnancy loss and how to implement them, as well as the importance of peer support and training for colleagues.
• Katy shares strategies for initiating open conversations about pregnancy loss, emphasizing that it's crucial for workplaces to foster an environment where employees feel safe discussing their experiences.

As we approach Baby Loss Awareness Week, we encourage organisations to consider how they can acknowledge this sensitive topic thoughtfully and inclusively. If you are wanting to understand more about how to have these sensitive conversations in your place of work, please do join our F Word at Work Live summit on Monday 4th November.

Thank you for joining us for this important discussion. We hope you find these insights helpful in fostering a supportive workplace culture.

Stay Connected:

Follow The F Word at Work for access to our free resources:

• Download our guidance here.
• You can book a call to speak with us

Welcome to another episode of The F Word at Work! This is our How to Support Your Colleague series, designed for managers, senior leaders, and HR professionals to gain insights into the challenges colleagues may face while navigating their journeys to parenthood. This episode coincides with PCOS Awareness Month, and we aim to shed light on how PCOS can impact individuals in the workplace.

We’re delighted to welcome Kate Davis, our medical advisor at Fertility Matters at Work. Kate is an independent fertility nurse consultant and the host of The Fertility Podcast. She has been instrumental in raising awareness of various reproductive health challenges, including menstrual health and PCOS.

Here’s a glimpse into our conversation:

• Kate explains what polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is and how it can affect individuals physically and emotionally. She discusses its symptoms, including hormonal imbalances, weight issues, and self-esteem challenges.
• We explore the emotional toll that a PCOS diagnosis can have on individuals, especially regarding their self-esteem and mental health in the workplace. Kate highlights how these factors can impact job performance and overall well-being.
• Kate shares insights on how PCOS is managed, including lifestyle changes and ovulation medications. We discuss the importance of understanding the length of individuals’ journeys and the challenges they may face at work.
• We provide guidance on how individuals can approach conversations with their managers about PCOS. Kate offers practical language to use, emphasising that it’s okay to maintain privacy while still seeking support.
• We discussed the need for employers to foster an inclusive environment that acknowledges the complexities of reproductive health issues. Kate encourages open dialogue and understanding to better support colleagues.

Thank you to Kate for sharing her expertise and insights on this important topic. We encourage you to explore her resources and continue the conversation about PCOS in the workplace.

Thank you for tuning in to The F Word at Work. We’d love your support and feedback, so please hit follow and leave a review in your podcast app!

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Join the Conversation: Engage with us to support a more inclusive workplace for all.