EMPLOYMENT law experts warn that recruiters guiding employers to follow Apple and Facebook and offer to freeze the eggs of female employees as a perk to attract star staff, may be risky.
Will Burrows, head of employment law at Lewis Hymanson Small, said:
“If this kind of perk comes over to the UK it is potentially a red rag to a bull and opens up a series of employment law questions. There’s an implication that the employer wants to determine when and what age a woman should conceive a baby. It could discourage women having children at a younger age. It risks sending the message that natural pregnancy is incompatible with being a high performing employee.
“The question of discrimination against men is also raised as well and whether employers should also offer to freeze sperm for example, particularly as this would not be a maternity related benefit.
“I just can’t see it being offered by employers in the City or in other sectors where there is a fierce war for talent. I don’t predict many executive recruiters or head-hunters advising their clients to work it into a benefits package in the UK.”