To think this should be sick leave not annual leave?

[Toddlerteaplease]

I am having a new treatment for a chronic neurological condition. It’s two IV infusions 15 days apart, then 6 monthly after that. The first infusion fell on my days off. I told my manager that I’d need the day of the second infusion off. But apparently I either have to swap a shift or take it as annual leave. I can’t have it as sick leave as I’m not technically sick. (She is fully aware of the diagnosis!) I work in the NHS. Is this correct? I feel slightly aggrieved at having to use annual leave for something I have no choice over! And my sickness record is very good!

No it wouldn’t, because of protected characteristics and reasonable adjustments. If OP’s appointments are at a set time for treatment they are directly disability related. There is no obligation for the employer to pay her for the time off but it should be regarded as disability leave and not holiday allocation. A full time disabled employee wold be treated in the same way.

Disability leave is not mandatory under the Act, it’s recommended that any absence directly attributable to the declared disability is disregarded for disciplinary purposes, but it’s advisory and it doesn’t have to be paid. Employers who comply with the ct will usually follow these guidelines.

@Whatsthatsheila I know I work in the nhs and our trust appears more flexible and accommodating to this

@Rosscameasdoody totally agree 👏

I used to have to go for infusions every 6 weeks, never any question of me having to use AL or make the time back up.

@FuzzyWolfI am full time.

It’s shocking that the NHS of all places could be so inflexible and intolerant of health conditions.

@Whatsthatsheila i personally think the union would have a field day with this there is no way this would happen where i work.

Ha they would did we establish if @Toddlerteaplease is unioned up?

Your company may already have policies in place regarding time off related to a disability or long-term health condition. If not, a reasonable adjustment you could put in place might be to allow your employee time off to attend appointments related to their MS.

You may also want to consider recording any time off related to their MS separately from ordinary sick leave, and discounting it from any absence management procedures.

This is particularly important if your company places sanctions on people who take too much time off sick.

Trying to add the MS society link but it won't save 😕

@Whatsthatsheilayes I’m in the RCN.

Get in touch with them. You need a set of adjustments In place.

I have MS and am starting what I think is probably the same infusions next month. I have them as planned absence due to my underlying health condition. Not sickness absence and not A/L. I'm also an NHS worker. Get in touch with occupational health and HR, it may be that your manager just hasn't had to navigate this issue before. Good luck with the new meds.

I think because it’s only one appointment, I’ll just suck it up and take it as annual leave. But will not feel guilty about taking the next day off sick if I need it. It’s only once every six months in future, so will be able to plan in advance. But I am very surprised that the policy is, as it is.

But sucking it up doesn’t change anything for the better. What about if next time you need multiple days or you need something more regular or if you need additional time of which is just recorded as sick because you didn’t for reasonable adjustments

part of planning for next time should be making these enquiries and getting the correct support in place

Its probably not worth the real life consequences, but it seems you could book half a days leave for the treatment then when you feel ghastly and ill you phone in sick for the afternoon?

All the advice you’ve been given here completed wasted…..like the saying goes….you can’t help those who won’t help themselves

I would get an OH referral and ask them to say you need PTO for medical appointments as a reasonable adjustment. We now get disability leave for medical appointments if we have a disability or long term health condition. It’s a godsend for me as my appointments normally take half a day and I normally have one a month.

When I was on monthly infusions it wasn’t an issue to book them on days off. And I was usually ok to go to work the next day, if a bit tired. This one is six monthly and there will be a bit more flexibility.

See your Dr and get a sick note for the two days. Can the place you are receiving treatment provide you with one?

It's a medical appointment. You don't have those if you are well.

I think what pisses me off the most is she won’t be the first and last in her trust. It’s just so annoying

@k1233we can self certify for a week.

can you go to the appt then call in sick? bc after the treatment you will be sick so its not lying. What a crappy policy

@Jom222yes. If it it’s similar to the first dose then I’ll have to.