Working a frontline manual job?

[LFlynn91]

Hey!
im just about to go into my second transfer which will be a frozen after my first go at ICSI and fresh transfer was unsuccessful in May.
I work as a paramedic so my job is long hours, lots of lifting and obviously being close to sick people.
on my last transfer I came off frontline and into the office.
this time I’m feeling a lot more relaxed about things and thinking of staying on the ambulance. What does everyone think about that? How careful should I be about lifting?

also my work are being much less supportive this time about days off and won’t help me do a shift swap for the day of embryo transfer?

I called ACAS who said whilst there are no legal obligations until you the embryo is in they should be seen to be helpful.

has anyone had any experience of work not being supportive for days off?

many thanks x

Hello!

I work in a similar field and have found my work to be somewhat supportive but at times that they haven’t, it’s because they have just been clueless (I’ve found it very hard to believe that nobody in the organisation has been in the same situation)

In the end I had to go to our occupational health team to get something in writing. They said the same as ACAS in that you are only covered under the Equality Act from the point of transfer. However, infertility is a diagnosed medical condition and therefore they should be ‘seen to treat it as seriously as any other medical condition’.

Personally, I have been through IVF on both frontline and non-frontline and it’s made no difference to the outcome (unfortunately, no pregnancy) however, I felt more relaxed being more in control of my environment. But if it feels better to carry on as normal, do that. My feeling is that none of it makes any difference, but I’m probably just negative because nothing has worked for me.

I am shocked that they won’t let you change a shift for your transfer, but not sure what you can do about it if ACAS aren’t supporting you. Sorry if that’s not very helpful but I wanted to reply as I’ve been in a similar situation and it’s very testing as it’s not like you want to have to have IVF treatment is it?! You just want to have what everyone else gets for nothing!

Best of luck to you :)

Thank you for your reply, so nice to hear from someone in a similar position, as I really haven’t been able to find anyone.

I think you are right, there really is no right answer as to whether to stay frontline or go into office. Think I’m just conscious that I have a run of nights coming up, it’s been a heatwave and recently been attending lots of elderly patients which requires a lot of physical manual handling so wanted to give myself the best possible chance of success with no regrets.

I’ve emailed them today asking if I can at least take the day as unpaid and I’m waiting to see what they come back with.

ACAS were good but just give you the facts and law on it, although they did say if they don’t support you it could be seen as sexual discrimination.

sorry things haven’t worked either way for you. Are you continuing to try?

xx

@LFlynn91 we’ve had a bit of break but hoping to start again soon. We both find it SO difficult mentally (funny when we do such stressful jobs, you’d think we would be prepared).

That’s a good idea but it seems really rough not to allow you to change it and instead for you to have to lose money. Do you have an occupational health team you could speak to?

It’s so hard because nobody really gets it :( I always say, it’s only a priority to you so you have to be quite selfish and to be honest, quite militant about it. I hope it all gets sorted for you x

I’m wishing you lots of luck on your next steps.

yes you are right, I’m probably backing down too much. I’ll speak to occupational health or the union perhaps.

i wonder if they would make things this hard for someone who fell pregnant naturally?!

also think you are right about them being clueless, my manager doesn’t seem to have dealt with this before despite 30 years in the job

xx