Every company benefits from an empowered workforce because employees who feel empowered engage in deeper ways, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity. They are also more likely to feel valued and supported, increasing retention rates.
Companies have traditionally taken several steps to empower employees, including fostering open communication, offering more autonomy, and encouraging professional growth. In today’s workforce, however, supporting employees in their personal and professional aspirations has emerged as a key step in the empowerment process.
Specifically, a growing percentage of today’s workforce is looking for employers who support their dreams of starting a family by providing reproductive health benefits. A large percentage — 88 percent to be exact — say they are willing to change jobs to get access to fertility benefits.
Why are more workers seeking reproductive health benefits?
Rising healthcare costs are key factors driving the increased interest in reproductive health benefits. Overall healthcare costs have increased significantly in recent years, with recent reports saying employees should expect a 6.5 percent average increase in their costs in 2024. Other reports say consumers should expect costs to continue to increase over the next decade.
Women typically pay more for healthcare services than men — something commonly referred to as the “pink tax” — which includes expenses related to reproductive health services. Those expenses include prenatal visits, medications, and birthing-related hospital costs. Fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), which can cost as much as $30,000 for a single cycle, are one example of the financial burdens women face in the area of reproductive healthcare.
The trend toward deferred motherhood is another factor driving the increased interest in reproductive health benefits. Women in past generations generally started families in their 20s, whereas today’s workers start families later in life.
Deferring motherhood introduces new needs to the family planning process. In some cases, eggs are frozen to preserve them for future pregnancies. Advanced genetic testing, high-risk pregnancy care, and c-sections are additional procedures that can become necessary with deferred motherhood, each of which introduces new costs to the process.
A generational shift in the workforce is also causing the increased focus on reproductive health benefits. A recent survey shows Gen Z and Millennials place a high value on reproductive health benefits, with nearly 63 percent saying fertility and pregnancy benefits are high on their list of priorities. By 2025, those generations will make up 75 percent of the workforce.
What type of benefits are workers seeking?
Fertility benefits are a key component of the reproductive health benefits that employees are seeking. Reports show the demand for infertility treatments has increased at a rapid rate, with providers struggling to keep up. The types of fertility benefits employers can provide range from coverage for fertility testing and diagnostic services to IVF, artificial insemination, and other treatments designed to treat infertility.
Reproductive surgery, such as tubal ligation reversal, can also be an element of fertility treatment. Reproductive health benefits that cover those surgeries, as well as treatment for conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and certain cancers, can help with fertility.
Employees are also looking for health benefits to cover prenatal and maternity care, which can include regular OB/GYN visits, ultrasound exams, necessary lab tests, prenatal vitamins, and other needs associated with the pregnancy process. After delivery, benefits can cover newborn care hospital stays as well as supplies needed by new mothers.
Reproductive counseling is another benefit that can fall under the umbrella of reproductive health, which can include access to consultations, seminars, and other resources designed to guide families in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth. Mental health counseling can also be extended to those struggling with infertility, postpartum depression, and sexual health issues.
What related benefits can further empower employees?
While reproductive health benefits are a core need for those seeking to start a family, many other benefits can empower employees. For example, offering strong family leave policies for women and men shows employers support their employees’ personal goals. These can include paid parental leave during the birth and adoption of new children and flexible return-to-work options.
Flexible work arrangements are another way of empowering employees to balance work and family obligations. Remote and hybrid work arrangements have proven very helpful to women as they seek to thrive in both their careers and their family responsibilities.
Other initiatives that can empower families include childcare support, such as on-site daycare and childcare stipends, and parent support groups designed to encourage parents and provide guidance on maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
How do employers benefit from extending reproductive health benefits?
Increased loyalty is one of the key benefits employers gain as they empower their workforce with reproductive health benefits. A recent report shows that 61 percent of employees who received fertility insurance benefits felt more loyal and committed to their employer. Nearly 75 percent reported they were more grateful for their employers, and 53 percent stayed at their jobs longer than they would have if the benefits were not offered. The report also revealed that nearly 90 percent of women who had IVF fully covered by work-sponsored benefits returned to work for that employer after their maternity leave.
In today’s workplace, where reports show more than half of employees are looking to leave their current jobs, boosting loyalty is critical for businesses that want to experience higher engagement, productivity, and employee retention. Giving employees the empowerment they need to grow their families while staying committed to their careers is essential to inspiring that loyalty.
