Enhancing Employee Engagement Through Fertility and Menopause Benefits

As organizations continue to navigate a competitive talent market, HR leaders are looking for strategic ways to improve employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction. One area gaining attention is the role of inclusive benefits, specifically fertility and menopause support.

Our partners at Carrot have reviewed their data from working with more than 1,000 organizations to show that these benefits can significantly impact employee well-being and business outcomes. We will review the findings of that data in this piece and explore ways that organizations can implement solutions to support their diverse employee populations.

Fertility Benefits and Employee Engagement

The desire for family forming and planning benefits has grown significantly across the workforce. Studies from Carrot’s team have shown that:

• 65 % of employees say they would stay longer with an employer that offers fertility benefits.
• 55 % say fertility challenges have negatively affected their performance at work.

Offering inclusive fertility benefits helps create a workplace where employees feel seen and supported outside of their individual roles. For employers, this often translates into stronger retention rates and higher employee engagement.

Menopause Support Is a Growing Priority

Menopause and perimenopause impact millions of workers, yet most feel unsupported in the workplace. In Carrot’s 2024 report:

• 80 % of respondents cited menopause as a workplace challenge.
• More than half considered making an employment change because of menopause.

By providing access to menopause care, such as telehealth, coaching, and hormonal therapy, employers have seen employee morale and productivity improve, and increases in their retention rates amongst populations impacted by menopause.

Picking the Right Partner

By providing programming that delivers comprehensive, age-inclusive reproductive and hormonal health solutions tailored to modern workforces. When evaluating providers and programs, consider the following components:

• Full spectrum coverage: From egg, sperm, and embryo freezing to IVF/IUI, adoption, surrogacy, menopause care, and low testosterone support.
• Global scale & navigation: Virtual experts, care navigation, and global provider networks ensure consistent, high-quality access across regions your workforce is located.

Key Program Components:

• Age inclusive, end to end care: Ensure offerings span fertility through menopause, with low testosterone options too.
• Integrated delivery: Look for providers offering telehealth, coaching, specialist-led care, HRT access, and a dedicated Care Team.
• Global and scalable platform: Essential for multinational companies or distributed workforces.
• Data driven ROI: Verify that benefits won’t increase costs and offer metrics on retention, engagement, and healthcare savings.
• DEI alignment: Inclusive design that supports LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and adoptive journeys, ensuring equitable access.

Actionable Steps for Employers

To create a workplace culture that supports reproductive and hormonal health, consider the following:

• Evaluate your current benefits to identify gaps in fertility and menopause support.
• Offer access to experts through telehealth, coaching, and education.
• Communicate clearly with employees about the availability of these benefits.
• Track engagement and outcomes to ensure the investment is driving value.
• Incorporate employee feedback into your workflows to ensure their opinions and needs are being heard and met.

The Bottom Line

Fertility and menopause benefits are more than “nice-to-haves.” They are essential tools in helping employees thrive and helping companies retain top talent. By prioritizing these offerings, employers can create workplaces that meet the needs of today’s diverse workforce while supporting business goals.

To learn more about Carrot or to start the conversation about how your organization can support employees navigating these challenges, reach out to the AssuredPartners team today.