sick leave and ivf

paulag · Post by **paulag** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:52 am

Hi everyone
I'm just starting my second cycle of ivf, and sat down with my boss yesterday to give them some notice of the week off I will need for egg retrieval and et. I have a new boss and he said he'd like it to come off my holiday leave! I was quite shocked and felt it couldnt be right.

Does anyone know anything about what my rights may be? Is it equivalent to taking planned sick leave for a hospital procedure? Does all planned sick leave/hospital procedures have to be taken as holiday leave?
I felt this might be discrimination as its for conception and not an illness.
Any info would be of great help!

Many thanks and here's hoping 2006 is the year our baby dreams come true!
Paula

pauline69 · Post by **pauline69** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:32 am

Hi Paula

My first cycle of IVF I worked the whole way through. My 2nd cycle I took off the 2 weeks from EC until test day. This time I'm taking off 7 weeks - from when I start treatment until 2 days after test day (I just got the letter from my Doc this morning and will give it to my boss when he gets out of his meeting). I'm hoping that taking this time off will help me relax, as unless we get any embryos for freezing, this will be our last attempt and I don't want to look back thinking 'what if' if it doesn't work.

When I took the 2 weeks of during my last cycle I spoke to HR and they agreed it could be taken as hospital leave and I was lucky at the time to have an understanding boss.

What happened during your first cycle, did you take time off then? If your previous boss let you take the time then I would say you should be allowed to do the same again.

If your boss won't let you have the time off try speaking to HR or else get your doctor to sign you off, you can do without the added stress.

Good luck.

Pauline x

LittleP · Post by **LittleP** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:02 pm

Hi there

Unfortunately companies don't have any legal obligations to give you time off for treatment, but I'm sure if you speak to your GP and explain the work situation s/he will be able to help you out.

It does seem very unfair that some companies aren't as generous as others where time off is concerned - lets face it we go through enough without having to have any additional stress to carry around with us.

Good luck and fingers crossed you can get this sorted.

Little P

Natalie Anne · Post by **Natalie Anne** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:26 pm

I've always had to take all my time off as holiday. when i ran out of holiday i had to take unpaid leave. if i have a scan/appt in the morning i have to work late to make up the time.

I hate my employer!! hope i get a BFP next time so i can leave work!

luby · Post by **luby** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:27 pm

Hi Paula

My first cycle of IVF I only took a couple of days off after ET like advised, and I took this as hospital leave.

My second IVF cycle I took off 6 weeks right from starting treatment until after test date, then I went back to work. Sadly then had miscarriage so I'm still off work now.

Companys should really give it as hospital leave for EC and ET, but then anything after that is up to them, some people are lucky and get an understanding boss. But there is no set law for taking time off.

Take Care

Lucy

Jen1d · Post by **Jen1d** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:32 pm

Bosses they are the pits.

Can't believe the hassle you are having, it's awful. It's a true saying that people don't know what we go through unless it was happening to them.

I just took off 3 weeks from the day of my ET but never had any problem with my boss. The doctor signed me off without a second glance. I would go on the sick if your boss is not allowing you the time off.

Good luck

Love Jen x

NickiMark · Post by **NickiMark** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:35 pm

Ive sent a PM to ya, I had a boss from hell, so i understand ok xx

joanna · Post by **joanna** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 1:16 pm

HI

I am taking 2 weeks off from EC then will return to work.

I am taking it as annual holiday,i didn't ask about sick pay just automatically used holiday.

Although if we have a few attempts throughout year i will use up my holiday quota, so i would probably ask if i could take it off as sick then.

Hope every thing goes ok.

Jo x

gailp · Post by **gailp** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:24 pm

Hi

I had to take all mine off as holiday, except when I had severe OHSS and then I was in hosiptal so was signed off sick.

Good luck

mbzz · Post by **mbzz** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:20 am

Hi ya--- with our IVF cycle in dec- I asked my doctor to 'write' me off work for the 3 weeks - middle of stim till day after pregnancy test- she did and with my job- it qualified for short term disability, so it was covered, i got paid and i didn't have to use any of 'my' time. I know companies are different with the structures etc-- my companies policy for Short term is 14 consecutive days........ might want to check into that---

Jeni Babes · Post by **Jeni Babes** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:25 pm

Hi
I too managed to get a 3wk doctors note...I am such a stressful job i wouldn't have coped without it...

love jen
xxxxx

Eminde · Post by **Eminde** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:50 pm

Hi

I am planning to take 1 day's sick leave for EC and 1 day for ET in Feb (my boss is allowing this). Should I plan to take more time off??? Our first IVF cycle was cancelled so we didn't even get to that stage so I'm not sure what to expect. Anyone's experiences of this would be welcome.

Thanks!

Cla · Post by **Cla** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:47 pm

Eminde,

Everyone is different, so there's no right or wrong thing to do. some people take the whole time off until test date, others go about their normal routine. I think it just depends on the type of work you do etc. My collection was on a Wednesday with transfer on the Friday. I took Wed, Thu, Fri off as well as the weekend and went back to work on the Monday. I work in an office though and it wasn't a stressful period.

It may be worth you at least taking off the day in between ec and et (especially if you have a general for ec. It can make you quite tired!)

Good luck!!!!

Cla
xx

Eminde · Post by **Eminde** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:06 pm

Thanks Cla! and yes you're right. I'll wait to see how I'm feeling. If it's a stressful week at work I might well just take some extra days! I'm sure my boss (she's a woman) should understand.

paulag · Post by **paulag** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:36 pm

Hi everyone
thanks for all the advice and shared stories! its always good to hear what others think and have done, it really helps get some perspective.

Things have worked out well for me, the boss who initially suggested it as holiday leave has actually apologised (since then we have both individually discovered the company's policy is to take it as sick leave) and said he had never come across it before and didnt really know how to handle it, which was really sweet....even though he went on to ask if I could work this weekend after I worked until 12:00pm on wednesday night!! the guy is so obviously young and inexperienced, but I feel so much more empowered to say no.

For me, I need the 3 days after EC to recover, as I can barely walk for those days. I've also read that you should rest for the first 3 days after ET to minimise stress and increase blood flow to the womb. So I've booked myself off for 5 days.

Good luck to everyone and lets hope for the universe to support us unconditionally in our quests to become mothers!

sick leave and ivf

sick leave and ivf

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