"Reasonable" time off for antenatal appointments

[blondieminx]

I am now having another problem with my line manager who seems to have a real problem with granting any time for antenatal appointments of any kind (another girl in the dept is also pg and having issues with this woman).

I have been classified as a high risk pregnancy and am having consultant led care. To ease my back and hip pain, my midwife has now recommended I attend a particular antenatal excercise class locally which is on a Thursday morning. I asked to work from home on Thursdays to allow for this and this has been refused as apparently the firm "doesn't consider it reasonable particularly in the context of all the time you're having for your other antenatal appointments". They want me to look at classes in London instead but these are all at least half an hour away and all cost 3 times as much as the local one (plus, they are not the class I have been advised to attend!)

I'm really as obviously it's not my idea of fun to be having to have all these appointments, or to be suffering back/hip pain - and the reason I'm having all these appointments is that the medical team looking after me feel it's needed!

My understanding was by law that I'm allowed paid time off for antenatal appointments and classes advised my doctor and midwife.

I'd be grateful for advice on what to say to them next. Am going to GP's tonight re the back pain as it is getting really uncomfortable at the moment.

[colditz]

Ask GP for dr's note?

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

Get gp note saying this class is recommended, and also something from the midwife recommending this particular class. Also, get one of them to formally acknowledge, if not already done, that you are consultant led which has, and will continue to involve additional ante-natal support, as and when required by either gp, midwife, or hospital, and then tell them that the law states you are allowed this time off, and if they refuse when it is recommended, they are putting you and your baby at risk. Cite sex discrimination and if they continue, tell them you will seek further legal advice. Are you a member of a union? If not, do you have household/car insurance that comes with legal advice? Some do.

Ensure everything medical is documented, and record all comments from your line manager regarding any requests for time off.

[blondieminx]

I was wondering that but don't want to be signed off work or anything - just to be supported by my employer in attending medical appointments and/or classes recommended by the midwife. It's not as though they can't manage without me for a couple of hours each week and lets face it soon they will have to manage for months when I go on mat leave....

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

Your gp can recommend attendance at classes, a note is not just for sickness, s/he can write a letter outlining what medical care you are recommended for this pregnancy. S/he can also advise that allowing this time off will support your continuation at work, or words to that effect. Depends on the gp how he or she will word it.

[blondieminx]

Thanks Pavlov. I am making notes about it all, this woman's comments are horrid, it's like she's insinuating I'm being feeble or something. It's not unreasonable to want to stay healthy and follow the doctors advice and that's all I'm trying to do!

Threatening them with getting legal advice won't worry them at all - I work for a law firm. When I had my booking in appointment and was asked my occupation/employer my midwife said "oh, law firms are normally the worst for antenatal appts!"

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

aw bugger! I have heard that too. In fact one of the worst cases of discrimination I have heard about was in fact against a lawyer who was pushed out of her role as partner due to having her 3rd child I think it was (might have been second) and took more maternity leave. She had to leave. I think she won in the end but it was not pretty. Typical isn't it?
I hope you get some positive resolution to this, its thw last thing you need when you are pregnant and suffering health wise with it, to deal with work stress too.

[blondieminx]

exactly. Thanks for your advice and sympathy, I appreciate it