Regular hospital appointment, during work...

[Bugpuffin]

Or not.

I need to go every 3 weeks for an indeterminate period. Obviously that's a pain for work (and for me) but my work agree these kinds of appointments without quibble, for all staff.

However, I work PT, so I could try and get them on my non working days.

There's a part of me that thinks why should I, when I'd get paid time off if I was FT though. I.e. I shouldn't volunteer to be "disadvantaged" because I work PT.

WWYD?

Talk to your manager, it will count as a reasonable adjustment.

If you can have them on your days off, and assuming you don't have children or other reasons why you can't go to the appointment, then you should.

You're not being disadvantaged and that's a pretty poor way to look at it. It sounds like your employer is a good one, and they support staff well, but don't deliberately take the piss.

I think the answer lies in how much time is involved, how you feel after and how flexible the appointment availability is.

Me personally, I’m going through cancer treatment at the moment. I would prefer to have appointments on a non-working day. Hospital is an hour away, so it’s like 3 hours round trip. It’s not really fair to take that much time out of work if I had other options, especially if I might feel unwell after and not be much use anyway and just want to lie down. There may be times when scheduling makes it unavoidable, but if there are lots of appointment options, then I’d book on my off days. I’d rather save the good graces of my employer when I really need it.

Not sure why you’d purposefully want to make life more difficult for yourself and your employer when you have the simple solution of planning the appointments on your days off. You are not ‘volunteering to be disadvantaged’. That’s quite an entitled attitude.

I would try to get them on my days off at least once or twice to be fair.

Sounds like your work are really accommodating, I'd value that and book appointments on non working days.

Why is is taking the piss to have paid time off for medical appointments, in the same way as that's granted for FT staff though?

I mean, it feels like it is, that's why I'm asking, but why?

I personally would try to schedule them on my non-working days, and feel pleased that if that couldn't happen (either at all, or as a one-off) I had a supportive employer. I wouldn't be looking to take advantage of that support though. It's about reciprocity.

Maybe to keep the peace and also make you feel you're getting the same treatment. You could do a mixture of both?
Have some of the appointments on your days off and some during work time? If this is an option.

Because FT employees don’t have a choice. If you work PT organise it on your off days.

But why is that my problem?

I’d try for a mix of both if possible. I’ve had ongoing hospital treatment for a long time - cancer - including therapy. My workplace thinks I should take the time off in work hours and use my non-working days - I work full time - as proper rest days.

It’s not a given. Many employers would not grant paid time off for medical appointments, they are under absolutely no obligation to do so.

OP, be reasonable. Book the appointments for your days off and stop trying to take advantage of your (very kind sounding!) employer. You may actually need their good will some day.

I wouldn't take advantage of your employer's generosity, maybe you can do 50:50 and only make some in work time.

Depends if possible but a lot of clinics run one day a week only... Or you need to be same day for continuity. I'd ask the hospital but wouldn't hold out much hope of change from what has been organised for you.

My work is very flexible and pays for time for medical appointments. However, it’s generally expected that appointments will be scheduled outside working time wherever possible. If they can’t be then that’s fine, but a pretty dim view will be taken of someone who deliberately schedules appointments during working time when there was the option of an alternative time. Nothing would be said outright, but it would affect the willingness for future flexibility and even career opportunities, as give and take is expected rather than just give.

I work full time and it’s expected all apps are at the very start or end of the day to minimize time not in work and time is made up (working through lunch to cover time missed at apps)

Piss take and poor attitude

I would always try to arrange the appointment for my day off.

Do they definitely pay for medical appointments? I have a few people in my team who have regular medical appointments, but they make the time back during lunch or by starting early/finishing later. If someone was part time the expectation is that they book them in for when they're not working.

Play fair OP

I would use my own time UNLESS it was not possible to do so.

Take advantage of your employer’s good nature and you may regret it later

It isn't your problem, but sure you WANT to create the least disruption to work, and get your medical appointment done? Isn't that the best solution all round?

Because employing someone part time has certain disadvantages for the employer (a part time employee requires as much input in terms of training and admin as a full time employee) so it's only fair to minimise disruption to the workplace caused by things like medical appointments when you have the flexibility to do those in your own time. And it's not only your employer you need to think about, but also your colleagues who will presumably be covering your work when you are attending the appointments.

You have a very entitled attitude OP! Full time workers have no choice so they?? They have to ask for time off for appointments otherwise they wouldn't be able to go!! It's not a case of 'well they're having time off, so why can't I?' Ffs! 🤦‍♀️

You sound like a spoilt child!

I don't think so, they're not allowed to treat me differently because I work PT, so why should I behave differently?