Discussing TTC with employer

[ChikiTIKI]

I work for the NHS however haven't had the Covid vaccine this month as I am at the end of mat leave. They've said as I am on mat leave, I need to instead get the vaccine from my GP, which will be a very long time away as I am in my 30s.

I was kind of relieved in a way as I am breastfeeding and although in theory it's fine to get the vaccine when breastfeeding, there's no actual evidence of it being safe yet (although please correct me if I am wrong- by that I mean if you know of a published study rather than more theory).

Anyway the point of my post is not breastfeeding but TTC... By the time I am offered a vaccine, probably in the autumn or later? I might be ttc again.

Has anyone here had to tell their employer, "sorry I can't get the vaccine as I am ttc".

And if so, how did they take it?

To be honest I think my employer might be pissed off as I won't have been back from mat leave for long. It took over a year to get pregnant this time though so if we do decide to have another, we won't put it off I don't think.

There was just a doctor on This Morning that said that there should be no reason that the vaccine should cause any fertility problems.

Which doctor? How do they know this?

Also it says online not to have vaccine within 3 months of ttc or when pregnant.

So who is right? The doctor on the telly or the advice on NHS website etc?

I don't think there's any reason to avoid the vaccine while TTC, therefore no need to mention it at all.

I think a lot of people wouldn't want to get the vaccine if they might be pregnant, or if they might get pregnant within those 3 months of final dose.

Why would you need to tell them your reason though?
It’s a personal decision and no ones business why you decide not to. Given you work in healthcare I can see the need to declare you haven’t/won’t be vaccinating but the reasons aren’t really any of your employers business

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding/covid-19-vaccination-a-guide-for-women-of-childbearing-age-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding

if you are pregnant you should not be vaccinated unless you are at high risk – you can be vaccinated after your pregnancy is over

Your employer can not make you have the vaccine. Also you said it’s a few months away so you can just nod in agreement for now until the time comes when hopefully more information will be available so that you can make a choice then. I wouldn’t worry about this yet.

Just don't have the vaccine if you don't want it.

If asked say you don't want to discuss your reasons.

If pressed ask to be able to explain yourself to HR or occupational health.

@ChikiTIKI

Which doctor? How do they know this?

Also it says online not to have vaccine within 3 months of ttc or when pregnant.

So who is right? The doctor on the telly or the advice on NHS website etc?

I thought this advice had been changed?

You’re entitled to the same rights on maternity as you would have been if you were at work. By refusing you the vaccine now, it’s legally discrimination. If you wanted it now; that is.

Has anyone here had to tell their employer, "sorry I can't get the vaccine as I am ttc"

And if so, how did they take it?

The number of women of chidl bearing age who've been offered rhe vaccine already is going to be pretty small and the number of those who are ttc and have to tell their employer any of their personal business must be minute.

Personally I wouldn't tell them anything, they can't force you to be vaccinated

Don't volunteer anything, but if asked "I'm not able to have the vax, unfortunately."

I suppose I could just say I am still breastfeeding, even if I'm not any more. I will continue to bf at least until May, maybe a bit longer.

I told my manager I don’t want it because we’re trying for babies & don’t really want to postpone for 4 months [before they changed it to 12wks rather than 4] due to my medical background. I have endometriosis, a cystectomy & a partial bowel obstruction a few months back from adhesions. Who knows if it’ll even happen.

I’m supposedly CEV due to being on high doses asthma meds & having a crap time with my chest last year. Still ain’t changing my opinion on it.

Don't give the reason, it's personal and they don't need to know.

I’m pregnant now and my gp told me to wait a bit longer to get it till there is more info, as I am high risk but have allergies and another health issue that may or may not be a problem. Employer not happy but hey ho! I have been working from home and they want me to get the vaccine now so I can come back. I am due on maternity in a few months and even if I miss the vaccine boat with work I will be able to avail from the gp at a later stage. I would like it before the birth but just not yet as I feel quite safe at home and for me I feel if I am farther on it will be safer if I do have issues! I think there will be more and more info as the weeks go on. My gp said at this moment there is not enough info to recommend it to me with confidence.

@Yummymummy2020
Yes sounds like it's best to stay at home and see how it goes in your position.

Funnily enough I am sure I had covid when 6 months pregnant. This was a year ago though so there's no way of knowing as it wasn't in the news that much then, let alone having testing available. Maybe when antibody tests get rolls out further or when I'm back at work I can see if I have antibodies.

I do feel that I have a moral obligation to get the jab due to my work, but obviously can't if I happen to be pregnant when finally offered it.

@bubblemonkey I hope you get pregnant soon!

Just beware employers (unlikely NHS/public sector) may make having a vaccine a condition of employment!

@jangle33 it is a condition of employment for people on new contracts at my work (not me, I'm on the old one), to get the flu jab. So I don't think they could add in the covid one, we would have to either agree to new contracts or redundancy.

I'm non-clinical so it probably wouldn't be too much of a problem. Although not ideal as I wouldn't be able to meet with clinical staff or go in the hospital.