Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Work, Employment and Society: Extending the Debate on Organisational Involvement in/Responsibilities around Fertility and Reproduction

Abstract

A relatively recent development in the field of work and employment is organisational provisions around employee fertility – notably policies and benefits related to assisted reproductive technologies, also known as fertility treatment. Work, employment and organisation scholars have only scratched the surface of this issue. This Debates and Controversies article takes an intersectional political economy approach to explore the opportunities, challenges and dilemmas at the interface between assisted reproductive technologies, society, employment and work. We consider how ‘stratified reproduction’ may be affected by employer interest in assisted reproductive technologies; what employers may gain, risk or lose by developing provisions; how assisted reproductive technologies-related ‘reproductive work’ intersects with paid employment; and the possible consequences, including occupational stratification due to assisted reproductive technologies-related career penalty. We call for further research, especially focusing on the most disadvantaged in society and employment, and approaches to workplace support led by compassion over cost-benefit calculation.