To lie and say I’m ill?

[WouldYouLieOrNot]

My work has no flexibility at all. If you need an appointment for something and it’s only available in working hours you just get told no.

I have been offered a medical appointment on a week day at a time I’d normally be in work. Considering just lying and saying I’m ill. Wondered what others would do.

I guessed you are a teacher! Yes, I would lie in order to attend the appointment as you really don’t have any other choice.

Luckily, not all headteachers are so inflexible but the ones that are, tend to see a higher turnover of their staff.

When you say medical app
Is it a GP app?

What would the lie be though?

If something health related isn’t accepted, what would be?

[quote AnxiousHeffalump]@Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat I’ve been there, and yes, I had to wait for an appointment in the next half term break.[/quote]
And you would be completely crazy to do that tbh.

If you have an appointment with healthcare professional, there is a reason for it. Not getting treatment or a diagnosis isn’t a reasonable thing to do. Nor is refusing to let your staff go to said appointment. I’d say it’s even more true when as a HT, they would go for their own appointment anyway (but no one would know or could comment )

It’s bonkers because OP will end up missing a whole day rather than just 30 minutes because of her school’s intransigence. My school allows time off for reasonable requests including weddings, funerals and medical appointments. I don’t even have to make a formal request- I just tell my Head of Dept and inform the chap who organises cover. It’s sensible as the school has my loyalty. They know we don’t take time off Willy nilly because we care about our classes and treat us like adults.

Once I hurt my eye in the AM but it was an important day for my class so I really couldn’t easily leave. I taught all day with it getting worse and worse. When the bell rang for the children’s hometime I walked straight to A&E where I found out I had a scratch across my cornea.

I still got flack for missing staff meeting after school that day.

That’s terrible!!

Not saying that teaching is not an important job. However, if there are professions that deal with life and death situations and are given the time off for hospital appointments then surely to god it’s reasonable to let a teacher go to an appointment during work time. Especially if delay of treatment would effect outcome of prognosis.

I would take sick if I had to and it’s crazy that you can’t get time off. However, in order to preserve your sick record, could you arrange an AL day and also maybe arrange a meet up with a friend or to catch up with things you don’t normally have the time for? Basically don’t make the whole day about the appointment.

Depends what it's for, urgent or time critical yes take it as sick - anything else can be booked in school holidays if gp or explain to the hospital booking you are a teacher and they will try to accommodate you in half term etc. interestingly Dp's appointment came through on a Saturday, normal nhs

@BigYellowHat teachers and school staff don't have AL outside of holidays

I knew you would be a teacher as soon as I read your first post. Unfortunately I've also worked at schools like yours although also at schools with very understanding and caring headteachers.

Absolutely call in sick. And don't feel guilty about it for a minute.

Also consider looking for a new job!

Thankfully, it is easier to get evening appointments now, but the the really hard thing is being expected to ring the doctor at eight am to get a an appointment. That’s just not possible during term time.

@gogohm

Depends what it's for, urgent or time critical yes take it as sick - anything else can be booked in school holidays if gp or explain to the hospital booking you are a teacher and they will try to accommodate you in half term etc. interestingly Dp's appointment came through on a Saturday, normal nhs

How do you know if it’s time critical or urgent without a diagnosis ?

Make something up, been mugged/ fainted on way in/ burgled / then soldier in bravely afterwards.

Though would they want proof 😱

@RiverSkater

Make something up, been mugged/ fainted on way in/ burgled / then soldier in bravely afterwards.

Though would they want proof 😱

Is this a genuine suggestion?