Did you tell work about having IVF?

[Outofsync]

so we start ivf next cycle and just wondering what you all told work about the time off needed I’m only part time at the minute 2.5 days but will probably need time off for scans day of egg collection and day of egg transfer just wondered how you approached it, not told them previously we had been trying to conceive

 

[Jezby]

Hello there

Away a tricky one ! I’ve just had my 2nd cycle inbetween jobs so an easy one. But my 1st cycle I did. I worked full time as a retail manager, had been with them a couple of years and had a really good relationship with my line manager.

They were supportive, I didn’t get anything over & above the legal minimum in terms of days off etc but it was just 1 less secret to have to keep and felt less stressful being able to talk about it.

Just incase you need to know ACAS guideline state that the ivf appointments should be treated same as the company policy on doctors / Dentist etc. Any sickness resulting from the ivf is treated the same but any time off you need isn’t covered by anything so I chose to take the few days I had off as annual leave.

I was lucky my clinic was only a 10 min bus ride from where I worked and as the scan appointments are usually really early I didn’t cause a problem. I just took a few days from egg collection to transfer.

Hope this helps and the best of luck when you start your journey ! Xx

 

[Peony1]

That’s really interesting to know. We get doctors appointments covered but when I looked up the policy on ivf it said that the time off for ivf appointments would have to be taken off as unpaid, which I thought was totally unfair. My HR team are awful though and are always getting things wrong so I’m glad you’ve said this so I can look into it before I have to ask for time off for ivf x

 

[katie88]

Hi hun, I'm just on my second round as I type! Ec tomorrow. Both times I have told my work. My hr treat ivf the same as pregnancy thankfully, so I can take my appointments without any issue (added bonus my clinic is 10 mins from my work so I can get to and from work without any issues) if you get on well with your management and feel that you can trust them, I say tell them. Takes the pressure off you having to make up excuses as to where you are and what's going on. Pretty much most of my office know to be honest. I've been really open since I had my first round last year, I know telling people can sometimes be a daunting task and it's not for everyone but I've always been of the opinion that if it's out in the open, no one can put their foot in it with daft comments and if I'm having a hormonal down day or an off day, they all know why.

 

[Outofsync]

I sat down with my boss today and told the truth and it couldn’t have gone better, was so supportive and understanding and basically said take whatever you need don’t worry about making time back up and we will pay you throughout! Feel so relieved and glad I got it out the way early so I wasn’t worrying about what to tell them. That’s one less thing to worry about!! He even said he appreciated me been honest about it and will support throughout and only need to know people will be informed Result!

 

[Jezby]

ahh so pleased for you that you had a positive response. Now you have 1 less thing to worry about. Best of luck! x

 

[miamia]

I have wonderful HR, and I told them and also discussed it with my boss.