Are you going through IVF/ Fertility treatment right now and hiding it from your boss

[orlabarrybbc]

Hi There,

I'm putting together a radio feature this week about a campaign to introduce a new law in the UK that would allow someone going through fertility treatment, paid time off of work. I'm looking to talk to people who are currently going through fertility treatment who are hiding it from their employer or just taking sick leave the day of their appointments etc. I'd love to hear from people affected- you can email me on [email protected] ( The World is an international news show that airs across 370 stations daily). Cheers! Orla

I went through this and didn’t disclose - I’m very lucky that I can work flexibly and from home. I took annual leave for the three key days I needed to have procedures and lived very close to a satellite clinic so it was minimal disruption. I also had success on my second cycle. For those travelling abroad or far away from a clinic and need to have multi cycles - it is tough. Very few companies have fertility policies in place.

I'm going through this right now and taking next week as sick leave. It's hard going with all the medications and stress. Thank god for working from home

I had multiple cycles in the UK and abroad and never told work. I took sick leave once for egg collection and transfer. I used annual leave and swapping days (I usually work 9 day fortnight) and working all hours to make up for appointments. Even in the UK my clinic was quite far away. I worked in airport lounges because the airport was over 2 hours from home so I would be there for big chunks of time before flights. One of my egg collection days I was on a work call in the clinic beforehand and presenting at on online meeting a few hours after. Looking back it was such a stressful time not only due to the IVF.

My work actually does have a fertility treatment policy but I valued my privacy more than ‘up to a week’ paid leave. I do wonder if they would have agreed to it for each cycle - maybe I will see if the policy covers what happens if a person has multiple cycles.

Eventually I had a successful cycle and actually spoke to HR in confidence recently as I may go again with my clinic abroad and thought I would consider my options - they said I would need a letter from my GP. I said my GP won’t be even remotely involved and they said they need proof that I’m having IVF but are not sure an email from my clinic will suffice. I wonder if I can show them me doing injections and having my scans done.

I have read on here but am not sure if it’s true that sick leave after embryo transfer might technically count as pregnancy-related.
If the IVF leave is too complicated I may use some sick leave.