In an encouraging step forward, a Federal appeals court in Illinois has ruled that women undergoing IVF should have their employment protected in the same way as pregnant women, through the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
I’m an involved mom -- besides my busy practice, my family keeps me running. I have the utmost respect for women who are trying to manage work and family with the added stress of infertility treatment. Our office has always maintained very early hours for the primary purpose of facilitating pre-work appointments for patients. I opened my Sugar Land office when I realized how many southwest area patients were squeezing ultrasounds and exams at our central Houston office into their schedules.
The court’s ruling is a first. It’s still quite possible that employers could be less than understanding about patients needing to come in late or leave in the middle of the day so they can follow their physician’s prescribed treatment. But at least a precedent has been set, and it’s one that can be cited if a patient encounters challenges at work.
Wall Street Journal article: Women Battling Infertility Find a Friend in the Court
