How to Tell Your Employer You Need Time Off for Fertility Treatment Abroad

Bottom line up front: Taking time off for IVF is one of the most stressful practical hurdles patients face — not the medical part, but the workplace conversation. How much do you share? What do you call it? How long do you need? This guide covers the practical aspects of managing work while pursuing IVF treatment in Colombia, from what to tell your employer to how to structure remote work during treatment.

How Much Time Do You Actually Need?

A complete IVF cycle in Colombia — from baseline appointment through embryo transfer — typically requires 14–18 days of in-country time. If you plan a frozen embryo transfer in a separate trip, that visit requires 5–7 days. Here is how the time breaks down for an initial fresh cycle: days 1–2 for baseline appointment and beginning stimulation, days 3–12 for stimulation with monitoring appointments (typically 30–60 minutes every one to two days), day 12–15 for egg retrieval (plan to rest for the remainder of the day), days 15–20 for embryo development, transfer, and initial rest, and an optional additional 10–14 days if staying through the two-week wait.

Many patients find that a two-and-a-half to three-week trip covers the essential medical appointments comfortably with room for rest and exploration between visits.

What to Tell Your Employer

You are under no legal obligation to disclose that you are pursuing fertility treatment. Your options range from full transparency to complete privacy, and the right choice depends on your workplace culture, your relationship with your manager, and your personal comfort level.

Full transparency: "I am pursuing a medical procedure abroad that requires two to three weeks. I have fertility treatment scheduled in Colombia." This approach works well in supportive workplaces, especially if your employer offers fertility benefits.

Partial disclosure: "I have a medical procedure scheduled that requires me to be abroad for two to three weeks. I plan to work remotely during the less intensive portions." This gives your employer the information they need without personal details.

Complete privacy: "I am requesting [vacation/medical leave/remote work] for [dates]." If you have the PTO or leave available, you owe no further explanation.

FMLA and Medical Leave

IVF-related medical procedures may qualify as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave per year for eligible employees. FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees and to employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the preceding 12 months. Some states have additional fertility-specific protections. Consult your HR department or an employment attorney to understand your rights.

Structuring Your Trip for Minimal Work Disruption

Plan your travel dates around your cycle calendar — your clinic can usually predict your approximate schedule within a few days. Front-load critical work deliverables before departure. Set up out-of-office messages and delegate time-sensitive responsibilities. Plan to work during the less demanding portions of treatment (early stimulation days, post-transfer recovery). Take the retrieval day and the day after as full rest days.

Read more: IVF Day-by-Day Timeline | Employer Fertility Benefits | Cost Guide