Unpaid leave for ivf treatment?

[Lalaland12]

Good morning

This is my first time of posting so hello to all…..

Following 3 failed donor embryo transfers, I am due for number 4 in October. I am cabin crew for a large national British airline.prior to the pandemic I was on a Zika list, which meant I was exempt from flying to any countries on the Zika list. I have been furloughed for the last 15 months but am now due to commence flying this month. My employer has told me the Zika list is no longer as it’s too hard to schedule for individual crew & and I would have to take unpaid leave . I cannot just take unpaid for each individual trip as trips can be changed at short notice etc and I need to ‘ apply for unpaid leave , it’s not a given’ I have been told !

As I have to be 6 weeks clear of a Zika visit this would essentially mean taking months of unpaid leave if the transfer is another negative.

I have asked if I could be transferred to another position on the ground but been told this is not possible.

Basically my choices are unpaid leave ( I have no leave to use due to being made to take it during furlough) or scrap the whole treatment.

Any advice would be really appreciated

X

[RecipIVF]

Hi👋🏻 That is a really difficult situation to be in. It’s a shame work couldn’t be more helpful. Do you think your doctor would sign you off on sick leave? Xx

[Lalaland12 in reply to RecipIVF]

Thank you for replying ….yes I have thought of that & tbh I’m so stressed about it all , it would be genuine…but this could go on for weeks if not months depending on how many transfers are needed. Just to complicate things I’m also doing this as a surrogate for my daughter so am concerned this will add to the ‘ you have a choice ‘ response!

[RecipIVF in reply to Lalaland12]

What a wonderful thing to do, that really is so amazing! Asking the doctor can be stressful but not asking can be worse. Just think of as putting your physical and mental health first and then fingers crossed it will work first time for you 🤞🏻Xx

[Lalaland12]

Fingers crossed , this is the 4 th transfer!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Lalaland. To give you some insight, In the UK, employees have a right to absences for pre-natal and for post-natal care and the right to request flexible working but pre conception care is not a statutory right. Maternity rights under the Equality Act 2010 and protection apply from the date of embryo transfer (often referred to as the implantation of an embryo). If fertility treatment is successful, maternity rights and protection continue from the date of embryo transfer until the end of a woman’s maternity leave. If fertility treatment is not successful, maternity rights and protection apply from the date of embryo transfer and then for a further two weeks after a negative test (which is typically taken two weeks after embryo transfer/implantation).

Here is a link to our factsheet on employment issues which goes into more detail. fertilitynetworkuk.org/wp-c...

As a charity we are really trying to raise awareness around employment issues and have launched a new initiative where we are hoping to work with employers. Please check out the following link for more information -

fertilitynetworkuk.org/fert...

Good luck! Diane

[Lalaland12]

Thank you , that’s really helpful