Search volumes for fertility support in the workplace have risen by 550% over the last five years, according to new data from Mills & Reeve. The rise comes as a growing number of employees navigate the complex legal and practical hurdles of modern parenthood.

Despite the World Health Organization reporting that infertility affects one in six people globally, UK businesses have been slow to adapt. Research from reproductive healthcare provider Fertifa suggests that 38% of those undergoing fertility treatment have considered quitting their jobs due to workplace pressures.

The scale of the issue is becoming more visible in education and recruitment. In 2023, births via IVF accounted for more than 3% of all UK births—equivalent to one child in every average-sized classroom.

Rose-Marie Drury, a fertility lawyer and surrogacy specialist at Mills & Reeve, said: “The reality of building families today means the journeys are varied and unique. It’s a significant challenge for businesses and advisors to ensure they understand the practical and legal implications of those who may be considering fertility treatment, surrogacy and adoption or taking different routes to parenthood.”

Global legal risks

The complexity is particularly acute for international businesses. A 2026 UK Parliament Research paper revealed that nearly 500 surrogacy parental orders were made in 2024, a fivefold increase since 2011. Approximately half of these involve overseas surrogates, creating a legal minefield for employers and staff alike.

“The rules around legal parentage vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,” Ms Drury added. “It is not unusual for someone to be a parent in one country but not be recognised as a legal parent in another even where they have an order from an overseas court or birth certificate.”

Ms Drury noted that these discrepancies impact everything from day-to-day parental responsibility to long-term immigration and wealth planning.

Manchester event

To address these shifts, Mills & Reeve is hosting a seminar titled Creating Families – The Pathway to Parenthood at its Manchester office in Circle Square.

Scheduled for 16:30 on Tuesday 28 April, the event aims to provide a forum for businesses and individuals to discuss the emotional and legal realities of modern family building.