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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to make up the time?

44 replies

Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 11:17

hello,

I am 24 weeks pregnant and have my 6 month check up tomorrow morning plus a hospital appointment afterwards as I had some test results come back that need investigating. I am not 100 percent sure how long all this will take but have made provisions for my own work to be handled (I am doing it this evening instead).

another colleague has just emailed and copied my manager in asking me to cover a significant portion of their work tomorrow as they are now going to be on annual leave. we finish at 1pm on a Friday (office job, currently working from home) so even less time on a friday to get things done.

I emailed my manager and said I wont be able to do this due to my medical appointments and having to alresdy make provisions for my own work to ensure it is done and I simply dont think I will have the time and he has replied saying I will just have to work the afternoon instead as I am having the morning off??

feels unfair to me as from what I know you're not expected to make the time up for medical appointments relating to pregnancy, I am working extra this evening as it is to cover my own work!

would I be unreasonable in saying no?

OP posts:
KimchiJjigae · 05/08/2021 11:41

No you're absolutely right. You don't have to make up the time for your pregnancy appointments, so it's an issue for your colleague's manager to deal with for that particular portion of the day if you're not scheduled to be in usually.

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 11:52

I am feeling really guilt tripped at the moment as we have gone down a few members of staff, we have new people that have just come in and are being trained. I appreciate it's not ideal but I feel yes, this isn't my issue and I shouldn't keep shouldering it and worrying what to do. I didn't need to work extra this evening (which I won't be getting paid for to add) but I am so I think it is very unfair to then ask me to effectively make up the time tomorrow afternoon to cover someone else's work.

OP posts:
Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 05/08/2021 12:22

You need to clarify to him that you are not 'having the morning off'. The law is very clear on this matter:

You should get your usual pay on a day when you go to an appointment. Your employer can’t make you work extra hours to make up for the time you’re away.

If he continues with this line of conversation he is putting your employer at risk of maternity discrimination.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/parental-rights/rights-while-youre-pregnant-at-work/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/parental-rights/if-you-dont-get-your-maternity-rights/

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 12:25

His new solution is to ask another one of our colleagues to 'help' me cover this other colleagues work... he is really not understanding that I will not have time to do this with my 2 medical appointments, someone else needs to cover this work completely.

Thanks for those links, like I said before I am feeling increasingly guilty recently.

OP posts:
cameocat · 05/08/2021 12:29

He is being unreasonable. He should not have authorised the annual leave of he didn't have back up. Please read the links to know your rights, you don't actually have to catch up on your work this evening.

Cuddlyrottweiler · 05/08/2021 12:34

"Sorry, I understand the difficult situation but I won't be able to help cover colleagues work. I'm already working extra in the evening to cover my own work to not add to anyone else's workload. Even though I'm supposed to be able to go to maternity appointments without making up the time."

You're entitled to maternity appointments whenever you need, colleague is not entitled to annual leave whenever they want. They could have refused the annual leave request.

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 12:37

thank you - I didn't really think about the fact he didn't have to authorize this persons annual leave and made this problem for himself.

he either forgot that I have these appointments tomorrow or genuinely thought I would be so keen to help out that i would willingly work for free again tomorrow afternoon.

OP posts:
Jubaju · 05/08/2021 12:37

Don’t stress yourself about it :(

Clarify its a medical pregnancy appointment, you won’t be making up the time in the afternoon and don’t.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/08/2021 12:44

Say that to him “someone else needs to cover this completely- I won’t be able to get involved at all”

Or your colleague should do what you’re doing and clear the decks before she goes.

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 05/08/2021 12:46

Send what @Cuddlyrottweiler suggests, totally out of order for them to expect you to come in

EleanorOlephantisjustfine · 05/08/2021 12:49

Pregnancy appointments and sickness can’t be counted. Your boss needs to read up.

NailsNeedDoing · 05/08/2021 12:50

You are entitled to time off work for pregnancy stuff so you are right and your employer is wrong, but it doesn’t make a good impression of you to make appointments during the day when you already have time off that day. I realise that you probably don’t have a choice when you make appointments and have to take what you’re given, but that isn’t your employers fault.

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 12:55

@NailsNeedDoing I don't understand what you mean at all - my company closes at 1pm on a Friday, my medical appointments were arranged for 9.20 in the morning and I then have a follow up afterwards due to some test results that came back.

It is my employers fault that they authorised the other persons annual leave though, knowing I was at these medical appointments tomorrow morning. I am not sure how on earth they thought I would be able to cover.

OP posts:
Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 12:56

And yes, considering I work 9-5 Monday to Thursday and then 9-1 on a Friday my chances of getting any medical appointments outside these hours is slim to none.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/08/2021 12:59

@NailsNeedDoing

You are entitled to time off work for pregnancy stuff so you are right and your employer is wrong, but it doesn’t make a good impression of you to make appointments during the day when you already have time off that day. I realise that you probably don’t have a choice when you make appointments and have to take what you’re given, but that isn’t your employers fault.
That's why there is a law... the Maternity Bill!
WeeWelshWoman · 05/08/2021 13:02

YANBU. You just need to make it clear that you won't be making up time from pregnancy appointments too. Do you have an HR department where you work?

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 13:07

I do fortunately - hopefully it won't need to come to that but it is making me nervous for any further appointments I have coming up that he will be a pain about them.

OP posts:
Loubiemoo · 05/08/2021 13:15

@Candydreamer

I do fortunately - hopefully it won't need to come to that but it is making me nervous for any further appointments I have coming up that he will be a pain about them.
Then ni- it in the bud now. Send him the links and cc HR in as well. Job done. He won’t bother you again.
Loubiemoo · 05/08/2021 13:15

*nip

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 13:22

He is still not understanding. He is saying I am sure between you, you will be able to sort it and now saying you can take back the time another day,

That is all well and good but I don't have childcare on a Friday afternoon because we don't normally work them, so I get he probably thinks he is being fair but it still really doesn't feel it to me.

OP posts:
GreenLakes · 05/08/2021 13:30

Tbh I think your manager is being quite reasonable. He has allowed you the time off tomorrow morning to attend medical appointments.

Clearly the work still needs to be covered despite your absence- so I don’t think expecting you to work the afternoon instead is unreasonable.

I would not be impressed at all if one of my employees refused to complete work that has built up due to absence. All staff at my place are expected to be team players.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/08/2021 13:32

Greenlakes it’s not her work though- it’s her colleagues.

Magenta82 · 05/08/2021 13:33

Have you explained yhe childcare issue to him? He may not realise there is a problem with asking you to cover and offering other time off. You may have to involve HR if he still isn't getting it though, as you may need the back up.

Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 13:39

@GreenLakes It isn't my work, it is another colleagues. I would find it really dismaying if I had a manager with this attitude towards antenatal care and this is exactly what I am worried he thinks and believes. You are not 'allowing' anyone time off for pregnancy appointments, it is worrying you think you would be.

I don't actually have to make the time up legally at all and I am already working extra time this evening when I don't actually have to....what more would you want?

He should be aware as he has the exact same issue. He has 2 children and never works Friday afternoon because he looks after them whilst his wife goes to work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Candydreamer · 05/08/2021 13:40

and everyone should be a team player, but just not to the person who has medical appointments they need to attend.. but should bend over backwards for annual leave. Makes sense.

OP posts:
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