To miss an important meeting at work because I have a hospital appointment?

[oknoo]

I have a hospital appointment this week, it's quite a routine appointment (so not particularly important but still needed) but appointments are only available during the normal working week. I usually make sure all of my medical appointments are in the evening or weekends where possible, this is the only exception.

I need around 2 hours off for it, because it's a double appointment and is a 1 hour round trip to the hospital. At my work, they are really flexible and you just have to mention it to colleagues and let them know you'll be offline but will make up the time in the evening or over lunch - which is what I did. Most of my colleagues take time off for the opticians , the dentist and physio appointments (for context).

My employer has now moved an important meeting which now falls at my appointment time. It's not recorded, and it's a compulsory meeting (there was another session of the meeting last week, but I couldn't make that one). At the time of the appointment when I booked it I checked my calendar and it was free, they just moved the meeting today.

WIBU to mention it to my manager and ask if I can miss the meeting still? Or should I cancel the hospital appointment given that it's a compulsory meeting?

I’d keep the hospital appointment. I wouldn’t question it. Let your manager know.

Important. I am sure it can be recorded if there is the will to do so.

Of course the hospital appointment should come first.

Did you have the time blocked out in your calendar for the appointment? I'd email the organiser and explain that you are unavailable and request to be put onto another session.

I blocked out the time for my team/department, but this is a big cross-departmental meeting for all employees

You should go to the appointment. Let the manager know. If they've moved the meeting they should have seen there was a clash in the calendar if you use outlook.

If you're being fired they will call you.

Can you easily change your appointment time?

Do the meetings get recorded, and you could watch it later? This always happens where I work, for those who can’t attend.

Attend the appointment. It can be difficult to reschedule a hospital appointment

If that same meeting was held last week- why didn't you go to that one???

I'd email your boss or the organiser and say you have a hospital appointment and ask if the session is being held at another time.

Your health comes first

Hospitals are on their knees and
Hospital waiting lists are months long.
Please attend your appointment.

To add, without knowing what your appointment is, I had to move an orthopaedic appointment earlier in Aug. The next available appointment is mid NOV!!!! 😳

Keep the medical appointment as a priority, unless it was something very easy to change/amend and not waiting months for.

Agreed. I think with hospital appointments you just go when you're told.

Your health should always come first.

Let you manager know and in future make them aware of hospital appts.

I would never change a medical appointment for work. I wouldnt even think about it

Health comes first. Although I'm surprised your expected to make up the time. Check your contract most places your given the time for medical appointments.

Realistically how important is the meeting going to be unless, they tell you your job is under threat (just an example, I'm sure that isn't the case).

I have been to loads of "important" meetings, that I can't even remember a few days/weeks/months later.

No, not most places. Companies don’t even have to allow you time off to attend medical appointments, paid or not. Time off (not necessarily paid) for a medical appointment might count as a “reasonable adjustment” if you’re disabled.

@Snowiscold im very surprised at this, I've worked at multiple places and never had to make up the time. Sounds like I've been lucky. Either way I would check your contract OP.

I am expected to make up the time for medical appointments. I have a chronic condition and have them regularly. Sometimes I take a half days leave so I don't have to make it up.

OP absolutely keep your appointment, no question.

@MrsGluck That seems very unfair, bordering on disability discrimination.
Seems I have been lucky and feel bad for mentioning it when others have to make their time up!

I would keep the appointment, and tell my manager that I couldn't make the meeting. The only thing to ask is guidance from your manager on the most appropriate way to catch up afterwards - with them or with the meeting organiser.

Your workplace are required to make reasonable adjustments according to the Equality Act.

In 6 months time what will have been more important a work meeting (probably mostly bullshit crap anyway) or your health?