Anyone else going to #scream4IVF?

Was wondering if anyone here was planning to go to #scream4IVF in London on the 10th October? scream4ivf.org/

I should be in my 2ww by then, so could definitely do with the day out to London to keep my mind busy!

[Tugsgirl]

Good for you! Sounds like a fab idea. London is a bit far for me but if you can make it you should go! Scream for us all xx

[genten]

I've used up all of my annual leave and then some on appointments so I can't make it. Sounds really good though 😊 xx

[MightyB in reply to genten]

Annual leave shouldn't be lost for healthcare if you are in the UK, it should be counted as sick days. Unless I suppose you told your boss you needed holiday days off rather than health related day off to avoid questions?

[genten in reply to MightyB]

No, my employers know, every single appointment I've either had to take annual leave, work through to make up the time and now I've used all of my annual leave I am taking time unpaid. xx

[Hidden in reply to genten]

That sounds really hard- it's terrible that there isn't a uniform way for employers to deal with this kind of stuff. Genten, I hope that your work aren't being completely awful, it sucks that you have to take time unpaid. If you haven't already done it, if your work has HR policies, it might be good to check if you can take appointments as medical leave so it doesn't come out of your holiday/have to be taken unpaid. I found the ACAS site quite useful when first going in to discuss my treatment with my boss. acas.org.uk/index.aspx?arti...

I've been really lucky- I (wrongly!) thought that as my boss is a man he just wouldn't get it and would just dismiss it as women's problems and make life difficult, but he's been nothing short of awesome and I've never been so glad to be proven wrong. This year has definitely been the year I stopped being so presumptuous about the men in my life! I hope you are bearing up ok x

[genten in reply to Hidden]

Aww thank you for replying.

I have checked ACAS but my company don't pay sick leave anyway, just statutory which is not enough hence i always take annual leave/ work time back but because I have had so many appointments I have started to take the time unpaid.

I work for one company but I am seconded to a specific site, my employers know the situation and so does the company that I am situated in but as things have been dragging on for years, I don't think they have the same heart as they used to.

My investigations started four years ago and they were supportive then but that has dwindled. I want to look for a new job but where I work is a 10 minute drive to the hospital. xx

[Hidden in reply to genten]

I'm really sorry that you're going through that. This process is hard enough without work making it even more stressful. I could get on my soapbox all day about this, but I'm told never to discuss politics in polite company ;-). I wrote to my MP about the shocking state of fertility inequality in this country (not just the funding- the discrimination against people going through the process with employers, the whole shebang. Don't know if I'll get anywhere, but I guess you never know unless you try!). I hope you can find that magic job that is close to wherever you need it to be and also supportive and fulfilling! x

[genten in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. It really is.

Haha bless you! And feel free.

That's amazing and good for you. I may even do something similar myself in the coming weeks.

Thank you. xx