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The university recognises the emotional pressure of undergoing IVF treatment and understands the potential anxiety and distress which individuals may suffer during the process. We wish to support members of staff who undertake such treatment themselves or whose partners do so.
- Who can take leave for fertility treatment?
- If you are receiving fertility treatment and have worked at the university for 12 months or more, you may take up to 5 days of paid leave.
- If you are investigating a fertility issue, this will be regarded as sickness absence. See our sickness absence guidance for more information.
- If you are supporting your partner undergoing fertility treatment, you may be eligible for one day's leave to attend a specific appointment.
- To qualify
- Staff who have completed 12 months' service with the university may be granted leave for fertility treatment or the support of a partner undergoing the same.
- If you are not eligible for leave for fertility treatment, you may wish to look into annual leave or unpaid leave as set out under our special leave policy.
- Process for requesting leave for fertility treatment
- Let your manager know.
- It is at your manager's discretion to grant leave. We encourage managers to grant this leave or, if necessary, discuss alternatives.
Staff and manager guidance
For leave arrangements, a distinction is drawn between the investigation phase (e.g., determining whether a disease is affecting fertility) and the treatment itself.
Absence relating to the investigation of a fertility issue will be regarded as sickness absence. In such circumstances, the member of staff will be subject to the university’s normal sickness absence provisions. Members of staff personally undergoing treatment themselves should note that sickness absence associated with IVF will not be regarded as ‘pregnancy-related’.
Members of staff who have completed 12 months’ service with the university may be granted leave for fertility treatment or the support of a partner undergoing the same.
Staff members personally undergoing fertility treatment.
Wherever possible, appointments related to fertility treatment should be arranged outside of working hours. Where this is not possible, a member of staff may be granted up to 5 working days of paid leave in any 12 months for the purpose of receiving and recovering from IVF treatment and to attend appointments specifically associated with the IVF process (i.e. pre-booked interventions for consultant appointments, collection and delivery of eggs, monitoring tests, etc.).
Should a member of staff require time off due to the side effects of the treatment, this will be subject to the university’s normal sickness absence provisions. Sickness absence associated with IVF will not be regarded as ‘pregnancy-related’.
Paid leave can be taken to suit the member of staff’s needs, subject to operational circumstances, e.g., in one block, on separate days, or in half days. The leave entitlement will be prorated for part-time members of staff according to their normal weekly working hours.
Members of staff supporting a partner undergoing fertility treatment
If it is an essential requirement, within the course of the treatment, for the partner to attend a specific appointment, the university will allow eligible employees up to 1 day’s paid leave in any 12 months to support fertility treatment.
Eligible staff should request leave from their line manager/supervisor. Managers/supervisors have the discretion to grant this leave.
When planning a pregnancy, you may wish to review the existing Risk Assessment for any work involving Chemical / Biological / Radiation hazards.
While uncommon, there may be some specific considerations; if applicable, you can contact the Safety Department for further information.
If an employee is not eligible for the leave outlined above, or if they require time off in addition to that, then alternative leave arrangements should be agreed with their line manager, which may, for example, include annual leave or unpaid leave as set out in the Special Leave procedure.