IVF special leave

rks · Post by **rks** » 25 Oct 2018, 17:50

Just wondered if anyone has had any experience of or know of cases where the man has asked for special leave for IVF treatment.
My partner is planned in for ivf treatment abroad.
I have asked my line manager for 1 week off special paid leave .
Special leave doc 2008 states that employees undergoing ivf should be given consideration of up to 12 days paid leave.
My manager has quoted Hr as saying that the leave is discretionary and that only applies to women .
Mmm I didn't know that the woman can undergone ivf on her own ..... I'm not needed ? What about tests , spwrm collection , being there for partner under very stressful times ?
I'm thinking if bringing about a complaint of discrimination / grievance against the manager .
Any info or guidance baking these lines would be appreciated .
Thanks

number one · Post by **number one** » 25 Oct 2018, 19:01

Phone HR and CWU

centenaryman · Post by **centenaryman** » 25 Oct 2018, 19:41

my wife went through ivf several years ago...I was in a different job.....then that job bent over backwards to help...
we had twins.....and couldn't be happier.....wellllll I mean pity they have to grow and then become annoying LOL

so I hope you get all the help you can and they surprise us and be a decent management team towards you.

Best wishes

rks · Post by **rks** » 25 Oct 2018, 20:13

I will call hr tomorrow and try and speak to the lady whose directed my manage as stating its only for woman ! But at the end if the day its down to the managers discretion , so I guess at the end if the day there is no legal obligation on behalf of royal mail to offer it . Butvdied not reflect well if RM is supposed to be a caring employer ? Or I have a difficult and vindictive manager .

number one · Post by **number one** » 25 Oct 2018, 20:15

rks wrote:I will call hr tomorrow and try and speak to the lady whose directed my manage as stating its only for woman ! But at the end if the day its down to the managers discretion , so I guess at the end if the day there is no legal obligation on behalf of royal mail to offer it . Butvdied not reflect well if RM is supposed to be a caring employer ? Or I have a difficult and vindictive manager .

It’s down to their discretion but it can be challenged and they also have to justify their decision.

crazyshrew · Post by **crazyshrew** » 26 Oct 2018, 18:40

While it is down to managers discretion, which often leaves us in a like it or lump it situation. You manager has implied that they would approve it for a woman, supposedly on the say so of HR. This then becomes a case of discrimination based on sex/gender.
I would not only phone but also email HR and get that in writing. If you can get that take it to the union and get their help to plead your case.
It seems absolutely absurd to me that where we live in a world where parental leave can now be split equally between parents, something like this is not considered to be something that both parents should be able to take equal part in

estelle · Post by **estelle** » 26 Oct 2018, 20:55

The other thing I'd like to point out is, in what if both parents are women?

What would your manager do then?

hero22 · Post by **hero22** » 26 Oct 2018, 22:13

Its stories like these that show if there was any doubt about whether royal mail and their managers have any basic human decency or empathy then its clear they definitely don't. Where else would a frame of mail become more important than two people trying to have a family. hope it all works out well anyway mate.

rks · Post by **rks** » 23 Nov 2018, 18:58

Sorry for late reply , been busy with hospital appointment s ect , OK so this is what my manager forwarded to me after he consulted HR , I Quote

"I have attached the special leave guide regarding IVF.page 4 .
The guide does say the business takes a supportive approach . It would be at your discretion to allow this time off for a partner to attend appointment s. It would also be unpaid as paid appointment s would be for the person having the IVF "

Mmm unless I'm mistaken but I thought it takes Two to Tango ? Is is not blantant discrimination ? Or am I just over exaggerating ?
In the end I didn't want this as another burden of worries
He offered to swop my days off for when we need to go .
So no cost to business .
I guess I can,t really push this further .

Post by **postiewhite** » 04 Dec 2018, 16:40

rks wrote:Sorry for late reply , been busy with hospital appointment s ect , OK so this is what my manager forwarded to me after he consulted HR , I Quote

"I have attached the special leave guide regarding IVF.page 4 .
The guide does say the business takes a supportive approach . It would be at your discretion to allow this time off for a partner to attend appointment s. It would also be unpaid as paid appointment s would be for the person having the IVF "

Mmm unless I'm mistaken but I thought it takes Two to Tango ? Is is not blantant discrimination ? Or am I just over exaggerating ?
In the end I didn't want this as another burden of worries
He offered to swop my days off for when we need to go .
So no cost to business .
I guess I can,t really push this further .

Sent a PM with a question!