No legal right to time off for medical appointments

[Undercoverknitter]

I think I've always been really lucky - I don't think I've ever had a full-time PAYE role, where I haven't been given paid time off to attend medical appointments, it's either just been waived off or it's gone down as sick.

I've only just learnt (according to the TUC) there is no legal right to time off to attend medical appointments, paid or unpaid! It's just down to what's in your contract and it's really surprised me! Is this news to anyone else or have I just been living under a privileged rock?

It would feel okay if there was evening and weekend appointments available!
Under what circumstances would it be refused? What if it was detrimental to health not to attend? Surely that then should be protected under health and safety? I'm clearly a lot more ignorant than I thought

My gps is open until 8pm 3 nights a week and always opens at 8am so that's another possibility

DH discovered this when he needed time off for chemo/scans/appointments etc, it was crap, it made an already difficult time even more difficult.

On a similar note, my kids school will only authorise a day off for a parent or siblings funeral. Not a grandparent or aunt/uncles. My kids are going to be mentally too sick to come to school that day.

I work in a school as support staff.
I've had endless medical appointments in the past 4 years.

I've always tried to rearrange out of school hours, with little success.

Im in work early and leave later than i should on most days. Im hoping it all balances itself out.

If they sack me, they sack me.

Thank goodness for the lovely employers out there who do support their workers. I hope they are rewarded with loyalty and hard work. I'd imagine those who don't possibly have a high turnover.

I think you’ve been extremely lucky, appointments have to be at start / end of day so time can be made up on same day. Or annual leave, eg if a hospital appointment in middle of the day but otherwise we’ll enough to work.

Something like trip to A&E due to injury or GP appointment because very unwell would be classified as sick leave and paid (assuming it was within yearly limit of sick days)

Me too. I have to make the time up or take AL.

I think it discriminates against menopausal women actually, as we tend to have a greater number of medical appointments. And what about someone with a chronic illness? They too are at a disadvantage.

Cancer diagnosis (chronic)- so fortunately all medical appointments are classed as a reasonable adjustment. Work are very flexible and they get way more out of me anyway.

Glad to hear that @Chestnutz ❤

i’ve always worked in places where there’s give or take. Ie. They don’t mind the odd gp appointment, if you don’t mind working an extra half hour.

I think the problem of unlimited time off is that some people would abuse it.

i remember someone took (paid) time off (a morning) for a dentist appointment. I presumed it was in her home town, five miles away. Nope, it was five minutes walk away.