Some people naturally feel comfortable sharing their personal lives with those around them, including their coworkers; however, if you are getting fertility treatments, you may not feel quite as ready to open up with people at work about this experience.

Balancing your workload isn’t always easy when you are getting in vitro fertilization, particularly when you need to take multiple days off, or you’re having an emotionally draining day. Here are some ways to strike a balance between these two important aspects of your life to help make this transitional period smoother for you.

Find Support in a Higher-Up

If there is a boss or a manager that you feel comfortable confiding in, then it might be time to schedule some one-on-one time and let them know what’s going on. While it might be easy to get away with taking a sick or vacation day here or there at the beginning of your fertility treatment, it may get trickier later on. If this happens, you want to have someone on your side who you know will keep things between you but will help make snagging time off easier when you need it most.

Schedule a Visit to HR

It’s always a good idea to know your rights and the company policies when it comes to taking time off or whether you can use sick or vacation days from the previous year. By talking to HR about your fertility treatments as soon as possible, everyone can come up with a fair agreement regarding flexible hours or days where you can work from home.  

Keep Your Infertility Specialists in the Know  

Not all employers are as understanding when it comes to taking substantial time off, and if they are giving you a hard time, just let your fertility doctor know. Your doctor doesn’t just provide you with fertility treatments; they also provide you with emotional support when you need it. If you let your doctor know that your work is giving you trouble, they will work with you, to make sure that you still get the treatment you need to fulfill your dreams of parenthood while also keeping your boss happy.  

Know Your Rights

Hopefully, it won’t come to the point where you will have to take legal action; however, it’s always a good idea to be well versed on your rights as a woman in the workforce who is undergoing in vitro fertilization. Being penalized at work for taking time off for fertility treatments is a major red flag and, fortunately, the law is on your side.

If you have questions about fertility treatment options in Honolulu, or if you have questions about balancing your career life with your current fertility treatment, contact Pacific in Vitro Fertilization Institute today. Call them at (808) 946-2226 or visit their website to learn more.