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Infertility
Work Restriction
We'll likely be starting IVF late Sept / early Oct. I currently work 50 - 60 hours a week. Has any one else with long hours asked for a 40-hour work restriction from your Doc/RE when starting IVF or other IF treatments? What did your work say? What did coworkers say?
DH things I am a little crazy for wanting the restriction, but doing the two IUIs and working these hours are exhausting I can only imagine what IVF will do to me...
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Re: Work Restriction
I have an ongoing 40 hr restriction. I used to work crazy hours like you and the stress and exhaustion led to me getting really sick. At the same time I was diagnosed with RA and my doctors all agree that the extreme stress and exhaustion was probably the catalyst for onset. When my doctors let me go back to work after a 4 mos leave they sent my work a 40 hr week restriction with exceptions to be allowed occasionally but not regularly.
My work has been very easy going with this restriction, but I am able to keep up with my work with no problem so that probably helps. I am also salaried.
I honestly don't think all employers would be ok with a 40 hr restriction so that has to come into play when making your decision, but I also think that too much stress can negatively impact a cycle and you are putting so much into an IVF cycle I think it is not worth the risk.
Me - DX Hashimoto's Disease, Hypothyroid, Rheumatoid Arthritis
DH - DX Azoospermia - Sertoli Cell Syndrome
DS-IUI #1-4 BFN IVF #1 - BFP! It's a boy!!!
Thanks for the input. I should have mentioned that I am salaried, and do not get any compensation for my overtime. The employee handbook is written such that I should be working 40 - 45 hours, but that is not the case. I have requested FMLA paperwork. I have also talked to someone else in the company who did did request 40 hr work week a few years back, which thankfully sets a precedence (imo).
I have not talked with my boss about what's going on, and he is starting to wonder if I am "okay" with all my doc appointments. Perhaps that's the first place to start... Have others told boss'?
I told my boss from the very beginning that we were being tested because I knew that I would be having a lot of doctors appointments and they don't really like when we have appointments during season. They were fine with it and I didn't have to use any sick time "as long as I worked the 40 hours". During season I was working 55+ hours a week. I started my IVF cycle after season and it was going fine until one day the office manager comes into my office in tears and says the managing partner is questioning my time...if I was lying about the "make-up" hours...that's when everything started spiralling down hill. Of course I wasn't lying about anything, but after 5 years of working for a company they are now questioning my integrity? The managing partner is a chauvinistic pig and basically doesn't like women in the workplace...one of those we can never be good enough attitudes.
This busy season I should be in my 3rd trimester if all goes according to plan, they have already asked me what I "expected"...which is funny because I've never been pregnant so how am I supposed to know?
I guess I learned that in the cut-throat business world, people only care about themselves, I was honest and then I got sh*t on....I'm not sure how the law works regarding if you can't handle the hours than you're not qualified, but it should be in the FMLA so your taking all the necessary precautions. Sorry for being so negative (I'm going through an I hate my job stage after all this happened), it's nice to see that other ladies had better experiences than me.
Okay my vent session is over....sorry. Good Luck to you!