Just this week I had the date for an important medical procedure confirmed. It's in 9 weeks time. I wasn't expecting it to happen until April or later. It's on the NHS so I really don't want to cancel or rearrange (can I even do that?) as I've already been waiting almost 3 years and this procedure will change my life.
I let my boss know as soon as I could that I'd like to take the time off as holiday as I have not been allowed to take any holiday at all this year (we are understaffed) but other staff have taken at least 10 days each. I have a physical job where I am on my feet for 8-13 hours a day, I lift and carry things that can be quite heavy and walk up and down stairs. My doctor recommended 4 weeks off work to recover. There is no option for me to sit down to do my work. I'd like to take the 4 weeks but said to my boss I would take 2 weeks plus 2 days.
My boss said no, my holiday request was denied and I need to cancel or rearrange the medical procedure. They even went as far as suggesting my husband works overtime or picks up a second job so he can pay for me to go private so I can schedule it for a time that suits my boss. 
I thought that was a joke but it was a serious suggestion.
I just don't know where I stand. Can my boss really dictate my life like this? I don't want to lose my job. I don't really understand what my rights are either. I am sick with worry that I will end up having to wait another 3 years for this procedure or I'll end up unemployed.