Dismissed from work while undertaking IVF treatment

November 2022

Nadia* was formerly employed by a large organisation and while working there, she was trying to fall pregnant.

Nadia felt she had been treated unfairly by her manager because she was undertaking IVF treatment at various times throughout her employment. Nadia regularly needed to take planned sick leave and her manager used her absence from work to say she was performing poorly in her role. She was dismissed by her employer.

Nadia lodged a complaint of pregnancy discrimination and disability discrimination with ADNSW.

Nadia’s former employer did not agree with Nadia’s version of events.

The complaint was resolved at a conciliation conference when Nadia’s former employer agreed to pay her monetary compensation, change her termination of employment to a resignation and provide her with a Statement of Service.

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual