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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not go back to work after hospital appointment?

21 replies

Polarbearflavour · 15/01/2018 07:19

I work in a job and organisation I dislike. Lots of things have happened to make me REALLY despise the place. I’ve recently moved roles internally, so I’m on a internal training scheme for quite a complex role that involves lots of training days. When I’m not training, I am watching what other colleagues do over their shoulders. There isn’t a desk or computer for me so I just sit there most of the day doing nothing as nobody wants to spend the entire day talking me through what they are doing.

I’m applying for other roles and I have a couple of interviews lined up to get out of this place!

Anyway, I have a hospital appointment. They always over-run. Plus I feel funny after blood tests and always faint. We are entitled to half a day or a full day paid for hospital appointments.

AIBU to make the most of my “free” half day and take myself for a little brunch and coffee for a pick me up after my appointment and dawdle back to work?

Or should I go straight to work after to sit doing nothing for the rest of the day?

It’s not the sort of place where they even ask to see appointment letters (I have one) and people never enquire after your welfare.

OP posts:

SuburbanRhonda · 15/01/2018 07:21

If you are comfortable with lying to your employer, go ahead.

Don’t try to blame them for your actions, though.

Original poster

Polarbearflavour · 15/01/2018 07:24

Yeah, I’m comfortable

OP posts:

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 15/01/2018 07:27

I would take the half day as if they run late anyway it saves you going into headless chicken mode.

Wish my work place did that. I had an appointment recently that ran 2 hours late then it was an hour to wait at the pharmacy (because you can't use the script at a normal pharmacy!!) So by the time I got back to work my shift was over... but I had to make up the time - even my lunch break they made me make back.

LoniceraJaponica · 15/01/2018 07:27

What time is your appointment? If it is a morning one and you are away all day questions will be asked. If you are being interviewed for other roles this may go against you.

SporadicSpartacus · 15/01/2018 07:28

Do the brunch thing. You’re not lying to your employer, you genuinely have a hospital appointment and you are taking care of yourself to ensure you can be at your best at work.

Envy of the time off paid policy, though. At my place we have to work the time back.

ZoopDragon · 15/01/2018 07:29

I would take the full day off, go home and enjoy relaxing. I wouldn't go out for brunch though, if you're spotted it's too difficult to explain! You can't say you were feeling unwell after the app if you're seen in a cafe!

ohamIreally · 15/01/2018 07:30

Look for another job. Yours sounds soul destroying.

gamerwidow · 15/01/2018 07:31

Half day is fine to take so don’t rush back to get there before lunch. Taking a full day would be wrong though.

MaisyPops · 15/01/2018 07:33

Grabbing brunch or coffee on the way back to work sounds fine to me if you have to takr it as a half day then you may as well take the half day.

If you decided 'i could just take the full day' then you are abusing the absence policy and people who do that are the reasons employers stop having such generous anf undertsanding policies. If you take the piss what you are actually saying is 'i don't give a damn if it means others who need a full day paid lose that right because me taking the piss is more important than other people's future need'. That wouldn't sit well with me.

Original poster

Polarbearflavour · 15/01/2018 07:44

Ha ha, no, I’m definitely only taking a half day! I’ve taken full days in the past for procedures that really did last most of the day.

OP posts:

supersop60 · 15/01/2018 07:57

If you are allowed the half day, then take the half day. Would they thank you for rushing back to work if the appointment was over quickly?

Nanna50 · 15/01/2018 08:05

How can you go for brunch if you always faint? Who looks after you when this happens? How long does it take you to recover?

user789653241 · 15/01/2018 08:16

Just don't feel guilty and take half/full day if you want. It's good to have some time off work without worrying about it. Good for your soul. Just enjoy it, don't think otherwise.

BinRaidingRaccoon · 15/01/2018 08:19

I'd have taken the half day...but everyone does there. No guilt needed.

Original poster

Polarbearflavour · 15/01/2018 08:34

Nanna50 - I feel better around 15 mins after feeling funny so I think I need a nice relaxing brunch and coffee to perk me up...

This has really illustrated to me how much I hate my job!

OP posts:

MrTrebus · 15/01/2018 08:37

Yeah fuck it crack on with your brunch life is too short and if anyone catches you then you can explain you needed some sugar after your blood test.

Nanna50 · 15/01/2018 09:06

So you feel light headed rather than actually faint? So if you can have half a day then have half a day you don't need to make up excuses, particularly when you don't have to evidence it.

Original poster

Polarbearflavour · 15/01/2018 09:25

I did faint once and may do so again, who knows!

Yeah, I need a new job don’t I!

OP posts:

ephemeralfairy · 15/01/2018 09:47

If you feel you need time to recover from a medical procedure then take it. The fact that you're not happy at work is a separate issue imo.
I had weekly psychotherapy sessions last year. Appt was in the morning but I always took a half day because I needed to get back into work mindset and compose myself after what was often an upsetting experience.

Littlebitshort · 15/01/2018 10:22

No certainly dont take more than you need. If you take the piss then your employer may re-think their policy and this will effect everyone and thats not fair. You maybe leaving your job but think about the others! Its the piss takers at my workplace that has made my employer extra strict with policies like this with no give and take and honest people like me end up loosing out and stressing over time off.

Original poster

Polarbearflavour · 15/01/2018 10:39

Well I’m entitled to a half day apparently - they don’t do Hospital appointments in hours as it’s special paid leave. My manager just shrugged and said okay.

OP posts:

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