‘Doing our homework’ on employers’ fertility policies paid off
29 Oct 2024
Amelia and Helen are both teachers and are parents to 18-month-old donor-conceived twins Edith and Douglas following successful IVF treatment at Bourn Hall. At first Helen’s employer had been resistant to her having paid time off for appointments but after a face-to-face meeting with her headteacher and HR representative they capitulated.
When Helen was pregnant with their twins Amelia had IVF with a freeze-all cycle during the school summer holidays so that she could undergo a frozen embryo transfer in the future. Amelia’s employer has always been fully supportive and allowed her paid time off when needed.
“Initially, when Helen first requested time off for an appointment at Bourn Hall, she was told that it would be unpaid and that management and HR wanted to have a conversation with her, because she had mentioned that it was for fertility treatment,” says Amelia.
“In the end she had to have a meeting with the male headteacher and an HR person, which she found quite daunting but she was brave and calmly referred to their policies, and actually they agreed that she could have all of the other appointments paid. It turned out fine in the end, but it was a bit stressful at the time, as she would have preferred not to disclose her treatment plans at that early stage.
“Then she changed jobs and moved schools and the new school were really accommodating and she never had any issues.
“I have never had an issue with my school, they have always been very accommodating with me going along to appointments and I haven’t had to take any time unpaid. They have been very flexible. I have worked at my school a long time, so they know I am not the kind of person who takes a lot of time off sick. I do think if you have a good relationship with them already, and a good attendance record then they are more likely to be flexible. I think being open and honest is usually the best route when you do come to need time off.”
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