More than four in 10 (42 per cent) global employees consider the availability of fertility benefits through their employer a ‘deal breaker’ in accepting a job, according to a new survey by Carrot Fertility.

The survey, which polled 5,000 people across Canada, India, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S., also found two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents said they’d change jobs to work for a company that offers fertility benefits. The same percentage (65 per cent) said they’d ask about fertility benefits before accepting a new job offer and three-quarters (75 per cent) said they consider these benefits an important part of an inclusive company culture.

In addition, 72 per cent of respondents said they’d stay at their company longer if they had access to
fertility benefits, while 62 per cent said they’d even consider taking a part-time job with fertility benefits in addition to their full-time careers. Notably, more than 60 per cent said they believe employees in their countries should have better access to fertility benefits in the workplace.

Read: 40% of U.S. employers offered fertility benefits in 2022, up from 30% in 2020: survey

More than half (55 per cent) of global respondents reported that their fertility challenges have detrimentally impacted their work performance. Nearly all (97 per cent) expressed a desire for more employer-led support in addressing fertility care needs in the workplace, with fertility benefits cited as the top solution (59 per cent).

Among Canadian respondents, 60 per cent said they believe addressing infertility or fertility care in the workplace is a way employers can make employees feel more supported, compared to the half of respondents who cited flexible time (50 per cent) and ability to work remotely (49 per cent).

The survey also found 97 per cent of respondents expressed a desire for better workplace culture for those trying to build a family or experiencing fertility challenges, with “better emotional or mental-health resources” cited as the most popular solution (63 per cent). When employers do offer fertility benefits, specialized emotional and mental-health support tailored for fertility care experiences was the most common such benefits and considered most valuable (53 per cent) by respondents.

More than three-quarters (79 per cent) said they feel — or might feel — uncomfortable discussing fertility openly at work. A third (33 per cent) said they’re uncomfortable having these discussions with a supervisor or manager and more than a quarter (28 per cent) are uncomfortable discussing it with colleagues.

Read: Canadian employers expanding fertility benefits to include egg freezing