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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

Antenatal appointments not paid

16 replies

lovetomoan · 30/04/2012 16:24

Good afternoon everyone,
AIBU or not for wanting the company I work for to tell me in advance that they do not pay for antenatal appointments and wait until today (after 3 months ) and say they are going to deduct those days off which makes a considerable amount of money I cannot afford to be without...grrrr

OP posts:

Gigondas · 30/04/2012 16:25

They can't do that. link

MeKathryn · 30/04/2012 16:25

I thought that was illegal? They have to give you time off for appointments.

Gigondas · 30/04/2012 16:25

Assume you are in uk

Gumby · 30/04/2012 16:25

was it in your contract? Were you pregnant when you were offered the job? Are you still on probation?

Rubirosa · 30/04/2012 16:27

Hope you're in a union!

MeconiumHappens · 30/04/2012 16:45

Its illegal. No ifs or buts. Get legal advice from CAB and send them a letter.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 30/04/2012 16:46

I know they have to give time off, but do they have to give paid time off?

lolajane2009 · 30/04/2012 16:47

completely illegal.

Gigondas · 30/04/2012 16:47

Yes if it's medically recommended -see link earlier

CakeMeIAmYours · 30/04/2012 16:50

Yes, you are entitled to paid time off, but only a 'reasonable' amount - if you are having loads of antenatal appointments, they can treat it as sick leave and pay you either your contractual sick pay, or SSP as a worst case scenario.

How much time have you had off?

stoatie · 30/04/2012 16:51

As others have said if you are in uk it is illegal. If you work flexible hours they may prefer you to have AN appts in your own time but they can't insist

stoatie · 30/04/2012 16:52

All pregnant employees have the right to reasonable paid time off to attend antenatal care appointments.

From above link

ArcticLemming · 30/04/2012 16:53

Did you come in for part of the day? If not could they reasonably expect you to have done so?

AlanMoore · 30/04/2012 16:58

I had some issues with this. The main problem seems to be that there is no set in stone legal definition of "reasonable"...though there is some guidance on one of the govt websites (can't remember which, but this comes under equalities legislation if that helps) saying that travel time + however long the appt takes + travel back to work = reasonable.

e.g. 1pm appt 15 minute drive away - leave work @12.30, appt is a bit late so you get in at 1.15, out at 1.30, back at work by about 1.50 - they have to let you have that.

However if you're taking the whole day off that's not "reasonable", you will have to use your leave for that I think.

AlanMoore · 30/04/2012 16:59

If you are part time it's illegal for them to ask you to change your days btw.

Original poster

lovetomoan · 30/04/2012 17:15

Thank you all for your replies, the issue has been solved and I am happy now. They did tell me they can only give me 1 or 2 days per month max. I am with the union and I asked them to check that for me. They got confused about sick days/ antenatal days. And yes, I am in the UK.

Hope you all have a good day, thank you again

OP posts:

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