I have had a question asked by an employee about whether time that she needs to take off in a few months time after a course of IVF treatment (2 weeks where she basically needs to rest to try and ensure the pregnancy takes) is sick leave or whether she needs to take holiday.

I can see this both ways … it is a voluntary treatment (is it different to say someone who is chosen to have cosmetic surgery) and as such not sick leave … or it is a medical procedure to correct something that has gone wrong with the body (such as a knee operation).

Does anyone have any experience of how this has been treated elsewhere.

As yet, I have formed no view as to what we should do. The individual in question has been with us just short of one year and has had little time off sick. Contractual sick leave is 13 weeks in 12 months.

susan preedy