Work making me feel guilty without actually saying anything!

[LDNlady]

Okay, this could turn out to be a bit of a ramble.

I work in a clinic doing medical research. We see patients daily and at the moment we have a decent amount of staff to cover if anyone has leave. Now, we change to a new study in March and we lose a member of staff along with beig told that the senior nurse won't be in clinic much leaving only two of us to cover seeing patients. I desperately want to take 2 weeks leave at the end of March as hubby and I want to have a holiday and visit family in Scotland before baby arrives but I'm worried that I'll be told a big fat no as we haven't got staff to cover. DH seems to think they can't refuse me holiday, by law, and if they haven't got the staff to cover then they need to find someone. My boss likes to make out she's all understanding but you just know she's not bothered at all. She's one of these people who doesn't need to say anything for you to know she's not happy about specific things!

I also brought up the fact that I will have to start ante natal classes at about the time the new study starts and at the moment I obviously don't know if they'll be on a weekend or in the evenings. She immediately had a face like a bulldog licking piss of a nettle and said "well they must do evening ones!" At the moment I'm beginning to feel like it was okay for others in the department to have been pregnant last year but not me now. I'm just not sure how to deal with the situation as I am a bit rubbish with confrontation. Ooh sorry that was a tad long. x

she can refuse your holiday dates if its inconvenient to the department - she'd have to give you alternatives though - but she cant stop your antenatal classes - youre entitled to that time by law. does she have kids? doesnt sound like it, the miserable cow lol If it gets to be an issue I'd have a word with HR so they can remind her of your rights. I told my boss i was pg on the first day of my permanent contract - was crapping myself but he was great about it stand your ground and dont let her bully you!

Sorry you are being made to feel like this. There is some useful info here

www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/employment/holidays_and_holiday_pay.htm

I think in general you are legally entitled to annual leave (depending on the type of employee you are)but you are not necessarily legally entitled to take it when you want to. You are also entitled to take time off for antenatal care that can include classes but there are some restrictions - such as I think that a medical practitioner must have advised that you take the class.

ante natal classes generally are in the evening or at the weekend so don't worry about that - to be fair I think it would be pushing it a bit to ask for time off for that anyway, its not like a medical appointment - not sure they told me anything I didn't already know, except for the tour round the ward. As for the holiday, I think its probably the case that whilst you are entitled to take it, WHEN you take it is more dependent on your employer's agreement, otherwise everyone would take time off in school holidays etc. Hope you get it sorted

You are entitled to paid time off for antenatal classes - comes under appointments or something (check acas or directgov)
They don't need to give you your annual leave if it is inconvenient for the dept sorry, but you must take any holidays due before your ML starts or they need to pay you for it.
HTH :)

In my area the NHS has stopped doing antenatal classes at the weekend or evening so it might be a good idea to ask your midwife when they will be. Also make sure she books you on a course and a hospital tour if possible.

I was lucky and my boss was very understanding and let me take whatever time I needed for antenatal appointments. However, your boss might be more pliable if you try to book appointments as late or as early as possible so you're not missing much work time. Your employer DOES have to give you time off for antenatal appointments though so if your boss kicks up a fuss, try talking to your HR department.

Other posters are correct about annual leave - your boss can dictate when you take it according to the needs of the department. Could you possibly book your holiday a little earlier while there are more staff there?

Thank you all. Now you've all mentioned about the annual leave it's has reminded of how they deal with It. I would always try to book appointments for as late as possible so as to not to impact on work too much but from experience, even that's not good enough for her!!! mrsnich84 You're absolutely right, she has no kids and IS miserable!!