Work won’t give me time off for FET

[Vicky2810]

Hi, looking for advice on work refusing to give me the time off I need for my FET, they have said no due to work schedule, anyone any advice on this please?

[User20]

Surely it classifies as a hospital /medical appointment in which case you should be able to be off?

[Ivfgotadream in reply to User20]

Employers aren’t required by law to give you time off for medical appointments unfortunately - it’s usually a bit of a goodwill that employees either take annual leave or schedule appointments outside of work or if not employees make the time up. Unfortunately you aren’t covered by maternity protection until the FET has taken place and then for 14 days afterwards you have the same legal protection as any other woman who is pregnant

[User20 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Oh I didn't know. I guess I've just been extremely lucky with my work..

[Vicky2810 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

I have asked for annual leave...they have said depending on if I get an audit finished will determine if I can get it off...it’s already stressing me out!

[Ivfgotadream in reply to Vicky2810]

Are you able to work evenings/weekends to get it done? Or have you told them exactly why you need it off? I’m sure if they knew what it was for they’d understand it’s not something you can just rearrange?

[Vicky2810 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

They know what it’s for but they don’t really care, work comes first with them, yeah I’ll just have to work extra hours to try and get the work finished

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Vicky. 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...

Diane

[Miracolo2]

Hi Vicky, does your employer have a written policy which regulates if and when you can take time off for medical appointments?

[Vicky2810 in reply to Miracolo2]

No I don’t think they do

[hoping2021]

I think you should contact your GP to ask for sick leave. You are legally entitled to sick leave.

[hoping2021 in reply to hoping2021]

You have every legal right to attend medical appointments - but would need to use sick leave for attendance.

[HJ841]

I'd just go to your GP, tell them how much this is stressing you out and ask them to sign you off work for a while. Work is never more important than your FET! x

[Pnw2020]

Hi. Given that your work know the reason for the leave request that seems very unreasonable. I would seek advice from employee relations/HR as this is causing you increased stress which you shouldn’t have to deal with. Wishing you well x

[Cotswoldmum]

Your employer sounds like a dick (to put it politely!). I’ve been very lucky with two different employers over the years, and both have been nothing but supportive (my first employer gave me all the time off that I needed with full pay - didn’t even need to use a days holiday!). But as others have said, I would speak to your gp and ask for a sick note as it’s causing you stress and anxiety. Your employer legally can’t then do anything. Also, once you’ve had you beautiful baby (I’ve got everything crossed for you) use the company for maternity leave then find another, much more understanding employer!!

[Running79]

My employers are great. We have an official IVF policy which gives you special paid leave for the main treatment snd you get 4 hrs for medical appointments.

But I agree with others unfortunately the law doesn’t really recognise fertility treatment until the embryo is implanted

I would go to see your GP, mine was great and helped me out where they could

[Pupster83]

If they are being difficult I might speak to your GP and see if you can get signed off then they legally have to give you the time off. I work for a council and they give you the time for any hospital appointments so I have had no issues luckily. However I got signed off after my retrieval so I could recover and then have some stress free time after transfer. My GP had no issues writing me a line and had said to call back for longer if I felt I wanted more time off as she felt it was important to relax and give things as good a chance as possible. Good luck!

[Ah46]

I would go to your GP and get a 2 week sick note covering the day of transfer and your 2WW. It’s sad that your employer is treating you like this, it would raise major red flags for me as to whether I would want to continue to work for people like that. Hope you are able to find a resolution that works for you xxx

[Lagoon]

Hi Vicky, I spoke to HR and Occupational Health and I was able to take special leave. Sorry to hear that your employer is creating more stress. My plan B was to take sick leave. Good luck xx

[Jade2323]

Do they have an IVF policy? My places of work do and i am entitled to 5 days during the course of the process.

[Zahra72]

My suggestion is, if the reason for ivf treatment is due to health condition. Speak to HR under discrimination act due to your health (disability) you need medical treatment and by refusing to allow you to have treatment stress free is resulting in you being discriminated against

[HaveFaith1]

That's a very selfish response from your boss! All good advice from the ladies here. You can always phone in sick on the day. What do they expect if they back you into a corner? It's easier to say than do it, but stuff the audit and deadline. Will you care more about that than your FET in a year's time? Good luck with your treatment, we're all behind you xx