Starting new job and planning IVF

[Whxy66]

For the background, I am about to start a new job and we've planned to do our second round of IVF in July (potentially abroad as well).
As we had a failed cycle I'd like to be stress-free this time and hopefully have some time off. I know it's not ideal to be off work for 1-2 weeks so soon after starting but both job and IVF are important and I don't want to postpone any of them though feel a bit guilty somehow.

Want to know your thoughts on this, any suggestions? Will I be able to take sick leave for that? And how far in advance would you let your employer know about the sick leave for this "procedure" (in my head I think it will be a more planned sick leave than sth like food poison that you inform them on the day, so how would you let your manager know about it?) I don't feel like telling them it is an IVF so what would you say?

TIA

[Cariadxx]

I have a feeling that once the transfer is done you are treated as if you are pregnant until proven otherwise. So any leave related to that is pregnancy related and protected by law

[MsPeony]

Hi there - I would in the first instance, check if there’s a company policy around that (Fertility/maternity etc.).

It’s hard to gauge how much to tell your manager as you are entering a new environment (don’t have a relationship with the person yet); and you don’t want to be seen as exploiting the system. See if you can negotiate a flexible working arrangement (can you do more hours per week to get time off for appointments/ flexi day leave for example).

And yes, once you are at transfer stage, they will
have to treat you as pregnant.

[Rosequartzz]

I agree with with MsPeony. Check if there is a policy for family leave, fertility leave, medical leave etc. You can always check with HR. Are you able to comment where you are working so we can see if we might already know. At my work we have a fertility policy and I took time off before. Although IVF cycle is 2 weeks I think the second week of treatment and then the 2WW is ideal for time off. I don't think most pregnancy leave is applicable until week 24, but again check your policy

[Whxy66]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
Yes the difficulty is I am not sure how much to share with the new employer, guess I'll have a better idea once start and learn more about the company and manager.

I cannot find any fertility policy yet as I've not started but I will have a dig around! My gut feeling is there isn't one and I am not sure how much I should reveal to the new employer and manager about the ongoing IVF but yes flexible working is sth to explore with them.

I really wish this journey could be a bit easier for women!