I want to treat infertility while working October 4: 11:17

“16%”
This is the percentage of people who quit their jobs because they could not balance infertility treatment and work. This figure was revealed by a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. On the other side, there is a so-called “preliminary group” who works with difficulty in balancing infertility treatment and work. What kind of troubles and problems do these people work every day? Last month, a large group of young and mid-career volunteer groups conducted a survey of over 1,500 people on the theme of “compatibility between fertility treatment and work”. We interviewed the “voices” of the parties that were visible from this survey.
(Keicho Machida, Director, Masakei / International Program Department)

The reality that “1 in 5” is infertility treatment experience / planned person

The survey was conducted by ONE JAPAN, a volunteer organization established in 2016 by young and mid-career employees in their 20s and 30s. Nearly 1,200 people from 55 large companies such as Panasonic, Toyota, and NTT Group are gathering together to create good examples of new business, innovation, and work style reform.

Since the topic of infertility treatment was frequently raised among the people who participated in "ONE JAPAN", this time we conducted a survey on awareness of the balance between work and infertility treatment in order to reveal the actual situation.

1556 responded to the survey. Of these, 230 people, one out of five, were found to be infertility treatment candidates and planners, and it became clear that “infertility” is a familiar issue for the working generation.

Infertility treatment is generally determined by the hospital based on the condition of the body and eggs. In many cases, there may be several times a month, so a work system and work environment that allows you to change working hours and take a quick leave are required to balance work.

According to the survey results, “the number of hospital visits is high” was cited as the most difficult reason.

How did people who actually experience infertility treatment face the treatment while working?

I was able to hear directly from two infertility treatment experts who cooperated in the survey. What emerged in common was the reality of the choice between “work” and “treatment” that the fact that infertility treatment cannot make the future outlook.

Even if a man is hard, he can be compatible ...

Late 30's Male Major manufacturer technical job (over 10,000 employees)
Marriage: 2013 (older wife is a technical worker in the same workplace)
Treatment history: Microinsemination 3 years Cost: 3 million yen or more

Mr. and Mrs. A, working as system engineers at the same workplace, have been treating infertility for 3 years since 2015. Both couples are managers and have multiple subordinates.

The system, which is the main business, can be checked regardless of the location, so it is said that both couples were able to give priority to a hospital visit several times a month.

“The decisive factor was the remote work. Even if I needed a sudden visit, if I had a computer, I could work in the waiting room, so I confessed that my boss and my colleagues were treating fertility and asked for cooperation I didn't need it. "

However, the treatment burden between couples is “very different”.

“Women seemed to be very hard because they had to check the condition of the eggs on a regular basis and had more visits than men. Also, each test puts a heavy burden on the body. I couldn't raise my hand on a new development project that I had dreamed of for years. ''

Work satisfaction and happiness of having children-Mr. and Mrs. A have managed to continue their treatment at the expense of both work and infertility treatment, while paying little by little.

But they make a big decision last year. I decided to stop treatment at the hospital.

“It was hard to get results. It was harder for my wife to continue, and I couldn't do anything about it. I felt like I was close to the limit. ''

Mr. and Mrs. A are currently continuing their pregnancy by switching to a method that can be done at home.

Even if there is a system, if there is no climate to rest ...

35-year-old woman Major manufacturer planning job (over 5,000 employees)
Marriage: 2016 (B 32 years old husband 29 years old)
Treatment history: 2017 (2 months / inspection for artificial insemination) Restart from August 2019: Tens of thousands of yen

Even though the company's system allows for flexible work styles, Mr. B feels that it is actually difficult to achieve both infertility treatment.

Two years ago, I started infertility treatment, but at that time there were many local business trips, so I couldn't agree on the schedule and gave up treatment.

However, in August, it is said that he began to undergo an examination to re-enter treatment.

“I had the opportunity to talk to someone who understands infertility treatment, and after all I tried to do my best and rearranged my feelings. So, in fact, it was the day of the exam that was designated by the hospital ...”

When I said so, Mr. B clogged up the language. If you ask in detail, you can't go to the hospital by the time of consultation and you missed the opportunity to collect eggs. Tears were flowing in the cheeks.

Mr. B told the boss in advance that he was taking fertility treatment, so he said that he was in an environment where he could work flexibly and get flexible leave.

Still, the reason why I couldn't go to the hospital was the workplace climate that made it difficult to get out of work. Mr. B is working in a male-based workplace with 15 men and one woman. After working for the current company for over 10 years, I was finally able to proceed with work and planning under my own authority, and I felt a good response.

However, the important day of presenting the project that had been in progress for half a year to the management team overlapped with the infertility treatment day designated by the hospital.

Mr. B who was lost chose a presentation rather than a hospital. It is said that a female employee of a junior woman would have difficulty working if she did not leave results.

The presentation was successful. If I left early and went to the hospital at that time, it was time for medical treatment. However, Mr. B did not leave early.

“In order for a woman to be recognized in my male-dominated workplace, I will be treated as an assistant if I do not make much effort than the male employees around me. I regret too much when I think that I have to get out first ... "

Mr. B says that he could not have reached his current position without prioritizing work even if he left his private life. “No matter how well the system is, it is difficult to achieve a balance as long as the old corporate structure remains on site.”

Mr. B, who had been overwhelmed with the fertility treatment he decided to resume, said he wanted to think about the future again.

How should the workplace change?

At the end of last month, “ONE JAPAN” held a large conference in Akihabara, Tokyo. Based on the results of the awareness survey, there will be a session where doctors and experienced people who specialize in infertility treatment will discuss. Late marriage is progressing in Japan, and the proportion of those who have experienced infertility treatment is the highest among developed countries. It was pointed out that

Many people have asked for an environment where infertility treatment is understood as usual in the workplace and that they can support work-life balance.

This was spelled in the proposal compiled by "ONE JAPAN".

There is no sustainable future for companies that have to make a choice between “work or child” or give up “both work and child”. I hope that all members of the same generation, as well as corporate executives, managers, and government officials will understand this situation and take various actions.

Mr. A who participated in this conference said, “It will be easier to work if fertility treatment is accepted like childcare and nursing care and it will be supported from the surroundings. "I think that it will make my heart easier if I have a world where I can respect the life plan."

If work and infertility treatments are not compatible, companies may lose their young and mid-career employees. I felt that companies are required to have both a “system” and a “climate” that support infertility treatment.

Keita Machida, Director, International Business Division