To take time off for a mammogram?

[Gide]

I’m a teacher. I’ve been sent an NHS appointment for a morning during term time. My mum had 3 types of breast cancer and had a mastectomy 2 years ago, so I think I should go to the appointment. I’m not sure what my school’s policy is on time off for non-essential appointments. I have never taken a day off sick in this job.

You should def go.
Most employers have a policy which allows for staff to take appointment time. In my company it is 2 hours.

You go - it’s a medical appointment that can’t reasonably be scehduled out of school hours.

I don’t think anyone would classify a mammogram as non essential. Of course you should go and I’m sure your head teacher would expect you to go.

Check with ACAS, I'm pretty sure they have to allow you time off for a mammogram as it isn't available outside of work hours.

I'm p/t in a school OP, our school lets us go for screening procedures. Last time I was away from school for less than an hour, they were fine with it.

I would give them a call just to see if it would be possible to schedule it in half term with is only a week or two away. If that's not possible then you can tell your employer that you've tried your best, but I would expect them to let you go.

First of all I would phone and see whether it can be rescheduled to a time you can do. If you can’t you then have a stronger argument.

I’m 30 minutes from work, screening place is mobile and 5 minutes from home. I won’t be able to re-schedule til the Easter holidays, I’m on a school trip the whole Feb half term.

We'll considering you're giving up your whole week (or whatever it is in Feb) the least they can do is give you time off for s mammogram. And if they don't I'd be reconsidering any more extra unpaid work

I’m not sure what my school’s policy is on time off for non-essential appointments
Surely your obvious first move is to ask your school what the policy is - they might well say that mammograms are fine to schedule, or medical appointments in certain circumstances. If not, then you can ask them about your specific circumstances. Mumsnet can't tell you what your school says unless you want to name your school....

If you're giving up your half term holiday for a school trip I would hope they'd accommodate your request.

That's not to say that Mumsnet can't advise if they say you can't have the time off - it just makes more sense to me if you check with them first instead of asking here where you'll get guesses.

Agree with others this is not a'non essential' appointment, especially given the family history you have given. You should definitely be allowed to attend.

I’m a teacher too. Providing it’s an NHS letter from a hospital they should give you paid time. They will expect you to set the cover work though.