Did you tell your boss you were doing IVF?

Question

I'll preface this by saying that I am fortunate enough to work for a great company that places high importance on work/life balance and have a very understanding boss, so I would not anticipate any negative backlash from looping him in. My struggle is balancing the unpredictable absences that IVF necessitates with not wanting to have awkward "update" conversations, especially if it doesn't work. I also travel for work about once a month, so that may be impacted as well. Any thoughts ladies?

Answer

I will not tell my boss. I have a different work environment, very different.  My boss likes to gossip, start drama and talk about people.  I work 15 min from home and I'm fortunate my doctor schedules monitoring appointments early as 6.30 AM so it shouldn't affect my missing work a lot.  He does know I have something "medical going on" as I simply say I have a doctor appointment. I did make him aware a "handful of days In August will be missed but I'm waiting for my doctor to advise which". I refuse to involve my office in this emotional roller coaster I am on. I don't need the gossip, I don't need any negative thoughts thrown my way and I don't need anyone making remarks behind my back about my infertility.   So you see, my office environment is much different than yours. LOL. I guess it is a matter of preference, too. I'm glad you can be open about your situation, though.  I really do wish I could.

Answer

I told my boss and the coworkers it would affect as they'd have to cover in my absence. Everyone was very understanding and supportive.

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My boss is amazing, understanding and an overall great person. I told her straight up that we have issues and will be doing IVF and that this will be our third round. I asked her not to share, just to tell the higher ups I will need days off and it will constantly change. She said awesome and to just keep her updated. If you have a great boss, I would just be frank. But if you have.l a bad, gossipy boss, I would just say medical issues, you have to go to the doctor on a short notice and basis.

Answer

I told my bosses I was dealing with some medical issues that would require a lot of doctors appointments- many of which would have to be scheduled with little or no advance warning.  They offered me leave if I wanted it (unpaid), but didn't pry. I suspect they know what's going on (I had a MC last year),  but this way I don't have to keep them up to date on the status of treatment, which is good when I'm having trouble keeping things together.  Good luck!

Answer

I had to tell my boss's because of all the days I have and had to take off but they have been accommodating and don't ask questions so it's great that I told them.

Answer

I had to tell my boss long before I even got to IVF because he noticed I kept going to the doctor and asked me on multiple occasions because he was worried. Eventually I gave in and told him which I was afraid to do because I was the only girl in the office, but it turned out for the best. He was very supportive and accommodating when I needed to change my schedule around my many appointments.

Answer

I work in retail and do heavy lifting so I told my boss a while back that we were having trouble conceiving so when and if it happened I would have to take it extra easy. Then we had our miscarriage so it became more important to communicate our struggle especially since I work in a children's clothing store so just being around expecting moms and babies was enough for me to hide in the back room and cry. And now that we are doing IUI it's something that she knew might be coming. So I haven't had too much trouble getting shifts covered or time off. And while after 2 miscarriages we don't plan on telling anybody next time around until we are in the safe 2nd trimester my boss is one of the few people we will tell right away to make sure I don't over do myself at work.

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Yes I only told my boss & she could not be more accommodating:) I was so lucky to have her understand my situation & work with me!

Answer

I told my boss just because I am out of sick and vacations days so I needed to take unpaid days. I don't keep him updated though. I just say I have a doctors appointment and he doesn't ask anything else. I also told HR. Good luck

Did you tell your boss you were doing IVF?

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