My boss has asked me to make up the hours I use for my ante-natal classes

[le27]

I am due to go on Mat leave 7/6/2019
I have always re-arranged my midwife checks and so on, out of working hours to suit the needs of my employer.
I work half days and so this has been manageable up until now.

I have received the dates regarding antenatal classes and understand how important it is that my partner and I attend the classes as it's our first child.

I am employed as a nanny, I told my employer the dates of the classes on the same day I received them and so have given over a months noticed as to when I will be needing the time off.

My employer has asked me to make up the hours elsewhere in the week!
I have already cut my hours as I'm feeling the strain on my body a lot and have to do a lot of walking and being on my feet. I said ok when asked but I'm sure I have read somewhere that it's my right to paid time off for these classes and that I do not have to make up the hours!?

If this is the case, how do I approach my employer about this as they have already decided I will need to make up the hours.

Thanks

I thought you were entitled to the time off and paid for antenatal care so this doesn't seem right to me. I would visit the Maternity Action website and ACAS, print out any relevant info and show it to your employer.

Would antenatal classes come under antenatal care though? Antenatal classes aren't compulsory. I never took any kind of antenatal classes.

Sorry it's an ugly link:
www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/time-off-for-antenatal-care/

"You are entitled to ‘reasonable’ paid time off for your appointments, as well as travelling and waiting time. You should not be asked to arrange your appointments outside working hours or to make up the time, although you should do whatever possible to minimise disruption to your working hours. If you work part-time you should try to arrange your appointments on non-working days but if that is not possible, your employer must allow you paid time off"

Would antenatal classes come under antenatal care though? Antenatal classes aren't compulsory. I never took any kind of antenatal classes

yes, if recommended by the doctor or midwife

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

They can be antenatal care. I seem to remember if there is any doubt as to if they are necessary (if you did the course last year and this was a second pregnancy then it could be argued they aren't needed, for instance) then a letter from your midwife saying you need to go is sufficient.

Yes, I have been informed that the classes are classed as antenatal care if they are recommended by gp or midwife.
I have been put into a specialist anti-natal class as I am a first time mum under the age of 22. I'm unable to rearrange the classes as they only run the one session each week for six weeks.

I think I will go ahead and show my employer the information found.
I just feel slightly awkward telling them that they're not allowed to ask me to make up the hours. I feel a bit anxious about approaching the situation.

Thanks for the help

I would make up the time or take them unpaid.

They aren't compulsory or medical appointments so I would make the time up.
I was a young 'young mum' so made the effort to attend ante natal classes. Complete waste of time and non-informative. I learned much more from the NHS book I received at my booking appointment (and forums like this).

They should be paid - whist it's awkward to ask, making the time up will get more and more difficult as times goes on (I'm 37w and can relate!)

Sending u lots of strong and encouraging thoughts!! Hope it goes ok!!!

Antenatal classes aren't covered, they're additional antenatal care.

I would make up the time or take them unpaid.

Apart from anything else, you chose to get pregnant - why should she effectively pay for you to do the classes? It isn't like she's a company who can get tax breaks for this.

@NChangeForNoReason thank you!

Working it out, effectively if I make up the hours, I will loose out on 16 or so hours worth of pay, that by law I am rightfully entitled to.

@Jaxhog firstly, I don't think it's appropriate to assume that anyone chose to get pregnant.

Secondly, the classes come under antenatal care as I was referred by a midwife, meaning I am entitled to paid time off.

Apart from anything else, you chose to get pregnant - why should she effectively pay for you to do the classes?

Because she chose to be an employer and that’s one of the responsibilities of being an employer.

That's how I feel, @ILoveMaxiBondi although I feel guilty asking for the time off!

Well, hmm, you could look at it from your employer's pov I suppose. You've already reduced your hours due to tiredness from your pregnancy and now you want to have additional hours off which presumably will also include the travelling time to and from the appointments. So she's having to find a lot of ad hoc cover for you whilst also employing you before your mat leave.

An awful lot of women much older than you work full time right up until 38 or so weeks of pregnancy.

I think in your position I would try and compromise here. I think you are misguided about your "rights" in all this.

I think in your position I would try and compromise here. I think you are misguided about your "rights" in all this.

I agree. It's funny how people are happy to talk about 'rights' but not about responsibilities.

"Apart from anything else, you chose to get pregnant - why should she effectively pay for you to do the classes? It isn't like she's a company who can get tax breaks for this."

Apart from anything else.......like the law then?

You are legally entitled to this, you should take it.

@bibbitybobbityyhat
Whilst I understand your point, i will still be able to carry out my main duties, collecting the children from school etc. So there is no need to find any cover for me at all.
Also, whilst I understand women older than me work up to 38 weeks, but as far as I'm aware you don't know how many weeks I will be when I plan to go on maternity leave and you are completely unaware of my circumstances yet making assumptions based on what.

I would think very carefully about the relationship you wish to maintain with your employer when you return to work. If you work round them then they maybe more relaxed about you bringing your baby to work or flexi time to accommodate your childcare arrangements.

Oh I'm sorry. I thought you said you had already reduced your hours due to your pregnancy. Did I read that wrong?

You also said you are under 22.

Do you have special circumstances that you are about to drip feed here?

Legally you are entitled to time off, but given the particular set of facts, I would make up the time if I were you. Generating some good will with your employer isn’t a bad thing and you might find you need it if you plan to go back to work there after maternity leave.

You don't have to go to them I didn't think.
I was 22 and having my first child and I didn't go at all. I hate anything like that and I didn't need classes to know about it.