To expect time off work for baby’s (non-urgent) medical appointments?

[coffeeforone]

My 9 month old DS appears to be allergic to quite a lot of things (eggs, eczema, hay fever, nuts, unknown foods). He has been referred for blood testing, allergy clinic and dietitian appointments all of which happen to be in working hours. I have 3 appointments over the next few weeks and there will probably be follow ups too.

I’m fairly short on annual leave, so wondering if it would be unreasonable to ask for the time off (unpaid if necessary) and if my employer can say no to this? I don’t think it would class as ‘emergency time off for dependents’ as I will know in advance of any appointments, and allergies are quite common I can’t imagine my employer being too sympathetic.

I would of course share the appointments with DH but he has just started a new job and is still on probation (and was off with a stomach bug a couple of weeks ago), so it would be better if I can do these.

I work full time office hours and there isn't really a 'making up time' culture. We're expected to be available most of the time and work additional hours as required and paid a good salary to compensate for that. I don't really have another option but just wondered if IABU to expect the time off work?

And look forward to your eldest turning 16 so they can babysit for you

sorry i was quoting someone else Forgot the commas

No your not legally entitled to paid leave (and for me rightly so) you should take it as annual leave.

I also have a child with multiple grade 5/6 allergies, who has many hospital appointments, myself and dh work around each other.

Posted too soon * or take it as dependant leave which is unpaid.

As i linemanager I would allow you to make the time up.
As a mum, never, ever book more than 2 weeks if annual leave for actually going away. if you don’t have family support, you will beed the rest for gp appointment, days off sick etc. if you are already running low on annual leave in July, whaf will you do in october/november/december when the colds etc go round? you need to think of a solution now, emergency nannies or similar

As a parent, never, ever book more than 2 weeks if annual leave for actually going away.

There, fixed that for you.

i’m a mum. OP is a mum. hence talking about mums. that dad’s should do the same is common sense

**As caregived of any person who can’t look after themselves, never book more than 2 weeks.
if you want to be inclusive , do it properly. not all caregivers are parents.

Could you ask for your holiday later in the year to be covered by parental leave, thereby freeing up some annual leave, if they only let you have parental leave in weeks. I assume most families use parental leave to cover school holidays.