Treatment FAQ

how to tell boss about ivf treatment

by Prof. Mekhi Aufderhar Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Klein: You should put it in writing to HR and your boss that you are undergoing fertility treatment or IVF. As I write in my chapter on work/life/IVF balance you should just send a simple letter to HR and your boss, so you have them on the record.

How To Talk To Your Boss About Infertility Treatment
  1. Have a Plan in Place. Before you speak with your employer, develop a plan of treatment with your provider. ...
  2. Prep Your Presentation. ...
  3. Lead with the Positive. ...
  4. Be Straightforward. ...
  5. Loop Them In. ...
  6. Know Your Policy. ...
  7. Be Flexible. ...
  8. Keep the Communication Channels Open.
Oct 9, 2019

Full Answer

How to talk to your boss about your fertility treatment?

Having a workable plan can help you feel calmer and more confident when you talk to your boss. 3. Decide how much you want to disclose While more women and men are choosing to open up about fertility treatment in the workplace, many still prefer to keep it private, and that’s OK.

How to work during IVF treatment?

9 smart strategies for working during IVF treatment 1 Figure out how much time you’ll need. 2 Develop a plan before talking to your boss. 3 Decide how much you want to disclose. 4 Sketch out what to say. 5 Don’t depend on the approval of others. 6 ... (more items)

Should you tell your employer if you’ve had fertility treatment?

While more women and men are choosing to open up about fertility treatment in the workplace, many still prefer to keep it private, and that’s OK. “You don’t have a legal responsibility to inform your employer unless you need medical time off,” notes Susan Scott, who is also a social worker at Victoria Hospital in London, Ont.

Is it cruel to go through IVF and not get pregnant?

“One of the cruel aspects of going through IVF is that the side effects of the medications can mimic pregnancy symptoms,” says Scott. She talks to patients about how to cope with both physical symptoms and emotional stress. “Taking extra care to make yourself comfortable at work is so important,” she says.

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Do you tell your boss about IVF?

Klein: You should put it in writing to HR and your boss that you are undergoing fertility treatment or IVF. As I write in my chapter on work/life/IVF balance you should just send a simple letter to HR and your boss, so you have them on the record.

Can you work while going through IVF?

The vast majority of people undergoing fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) can indeed work full-time. Many simply don't have the option not to. Between the cost of IVF itself and budgeting for a potential baby, you likely need to work during IVF.

What should you not say during IVF?

6 things not to say to someone going through IVF1. “ You need to relax” ... “Everything happens for a reason” No! ... “What will be will be” ... “Have you tried …” ... “I know a friend who …” ... “Kids aren't the be-all and end-all”

Can I go to work after egg retrieval?

You should not plan to do any work on the day of egg retrieval. Many women do return to work the next day, while others also rest the day following the retrieval. You may feel some pelvic heaviness or soreness and cramping. It is okay to take Tylenol, but you should avoid ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Motrin).

Should you tell your boss you're doing fertility treatments?

Telling Your Manager If you are close and friendly, you may want to tell him or her that you're having IVF treatment, how it will affect your schedule, and, finally, how you will manage your workload and/or take sick leave or other time off to compensate.

How many days off work do you need for IVF?

It varies from person to person: Some people bounce back right away, while others take more time to recover. Since there's no way of knowing how your body will respond to fertility drugs before starting your first IVF cycle, consider taking seven to 10 days off for egg retrieval if you have the luxury.

How do you tell people you're pregnant after IVF?

You can still plan an elaborate announcement—just warn your friend. Let them be the first to know, and let them know your plans for the announcement so they can either avoid it or be ready for it. Another mistake people often make is not inviting their infertile friend or relative to the baby shower.

What to say to someone who is starting IVF?

Ask Them If They Need Anything First and foremost, it is important to help someone understand that asking for help and support from their friends and family is completely okay. If you're really not sure how to support your friend, just ask. Try to be specific instead of just saying, “Well, let me know how I can help.”

What do you write in an IVF card?

Here are some good luck messages for IVF that you can quickly and easily send to your friend while she is on her fertility journey.Good luck on your IUI! ... Thinking of you and hope this is the one!I hope that all goes well with your procedure. ... I'm so hoping you get good news today!More items...•

Should I take time off work for IVF?

Can I take time off for IVF treatment? There is no statutory right to time off work for fertility treatment, which can often be time consuming and stressful for employees. However, your employer should treat your medical appointments for IVF treatment like any other medical appointment.

Is IVF considered sick leave?

Currently, leave for IVF treatment is not a legitimate use of personal leave under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), as women undergoing treatment are neither 'ill' nor 'injured'. As a result, there is significant uncertainty regarding the use of personal leave by women undergoing IVF.

How long should you rest after IVF transfer?

Your position does not matter. The first 24 hours after an embryo is transferred are most likely the most critical. It is within this time frame that an embryo has to “attach” to the uterine wall before it can fully implant, which may take several days. Therefore, for the first one to two days, stay home and chill out.

Your Infertility Diagnosis and Work

Receiving a diagnosis of infertility can be very surprising and upsetting for some couples. Undoubtedly, you are experiencing a range of emotions, from anger right through to depression. You may be particularly worried about how you are going to deal with work repsonsibilities while managing your diagnosis.

Why Tell Your Employer?

You may be wondering why you should tell your employer anything about your diagnosis of infertility. Though it can be difficult, keeping your employer informed about your situation can be helpful in many ways, particularly if you are going to be needing a lot of time off work. By letting your employer know about your diagnosis, she may be able to:

Does stress affect fertility?

I hear a lot about stressful workloads, schedules, and workplaces. There’s often a concern that the stress of work will negatively impact the outcome of a fertility treatment. (It will not.) Reducing stress from all outlets as much as possible during infertility, however, can only improve the process.

Can fertility treatments cause moodiness?

As you well know, fertility treatments can cause distraction, moodiness, and perhaps a little less cheerfulness or flexibility than usual (#understatement). Chances are, you’ve wrestled with each of these aspects of balancing work and your fertility journey at one point or another.

How long does it take to recover from IVF?

Since there’s no way of knowing how your body will respond to fertility drugs before starting your first IVF cycle, consider taking seven to 10 days off for egg retrieval if you have the luxury.

How many couples are affected by infertility?

Scott says that the latter scenario is more common than you might think, given that one in six couples is affected by infertility. “If patients feel safe talking about what they’re going through, sometimes they get more support,” she notes. Sometimes, she adds, an initial lack of support stems from simply not understanding the kinds of side effects that fertility treatment can cause and the medical risks involved with egg retrieval, in which case educational material from your clinic may help.

Can IVF make me work better?

Whether it’s pouring out your heart to other women going through IVF or taking extra time off to prevent exhaustion, you’ll do a better job at work if you do whatever you need to do to stay as healthy and centred as you can. “After all, the only person who can get you through it,” says Johnston, “is you.”

Can IVF be part time?

9 smart strategies for working during IVF treatment. IVF treatment can be like having a part-time job . Here’s how to make it a little easier. If you add up the hours involved, from attending appointments for blood tests and ultrasounds to managing multiple medications, IVF treatment is like having a part-time job.

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