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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

have to take annual leave for NCT classes?

31 replies

Annie456 · 23/05/2011 11:53

Hi all,

My employers have said that I can't take paid time off for NCT classes as they are private classes and I need to take them as annual leave.
I'm trying to argue a case but just wondered what anyone else's experience was? (I could only get on to the intensive 2.5 day course)

Annie

OP posts:

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MainlyMaynie · 23/05/2011 12:04

They're talking bollocks. Have a look at:

www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/can_i_take_time_off_work_to

The ante-natal classes haven't been an issue for me, I haven't seen any round here that aren't outside of working hours anyway. But after it was recommended by a physio I was given paid time off for aqua-natal classes. I think it helped that I had always arranged my midwife/scan appointments etc. so I only had to come in a little late rather than needing lots of time off, so they knew I wasn't taking advantage.

Icelollycraving · 23/05/2011 14:32

I think they are right. You need to attend appointments such as midwife but these are a choice aren't they?

BikeRunSki · 23/05/2011 14:35

Could you ask you midwife to recommend them? Just a wee note to your boss?

BatFlattery · 23/05/2011 14:40

I agree with Icelolly - I think that the paid time off is for essentials such as midwife appointments and scans, rather than optional antenatal classes.

We did the local NHS classes and these were run outside of working hours.

Joannezipan · 23/05/2011 15:12

I got paid time off to do them. I asked assuming I wouldn't get it (just didn't know what to put on my time sheet) and was told as it was pg related I wouldn't have to take leave. I was pleasently surprised! :o It might be my company policy though not legal. I didn't tell them it was NCT not NHS though, but that shouldn't be a factor as it is the same information!

cat64 · 23/05/2011 15:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

notasausage · 23/05/2011 15:17

You are entitled to time for any antinatal classes if your midwife recommends them for your care. That includes aquanatal so I see no reason why NCT shouldn't be included. Get your midwife to write a note.

SenoritaViva · 23/05/2011 15:19

I am not an HR expert but I am afraid I agree with your company; I assume they are being flexible with all the medical appointments etc. Unfortunately though NCT is private. A friend did hers over a weekend, I am surprised they are only during working hours.

Original poster

Annie456 · 23/05/2011 15:35

My company are not being "flexible" with my medical appointments as I have an absolute right to go to them - it is me who is being flexible in trying to time midwife appointments with AL. I also know that I have a right to paid time off for antenatal classes - so I don't understand why it makes a difference whether they are NHS or private! They didn't have any evening classes left in my area so I had to book a 2 day intensive course.

OP posts:

Lavitabellissima · 23/05/2011 15:47

You are legally allowed to take time off, even for pregnancy yoga if you can say it was recommwnded by a health professional. I would email your Hr department with the gov. Link

SenoritaViva · 23/05/2011 16:30

When I used the word flexible I probably should have said accommodating/understanding. I was trying to get an idea of how supportive they were being to you.

They may argue if the NHS offer out of hours ante natal classes then these should suffice. I am not trying to put a dampener on things but see another perspective.

Lotkinsgonecurly · 23/05/2011 16:34

I remember being allowed time off for NCT classes and the NHS run ones but I think I was nearly on maternity leave at the time. However midwife appointments I always tried to get the last one of the day or the first one etc and booking so far ahead it was never really a problem. Aqua natal and that sort of thing was always in the evening. I think there is a bit of give and take on both sides.

GetOrfMoiCase · 23/05/2011 16:35

I don't really know why you would argue the point.

Presumably you would get paid leave to attend NHS classes, which normally cover tours of the labour ward etc.

I can't imagine why NCT classes would be viewed as medically necessary, of course they are not.

What is the problem in taking 2.5 days leave? If you argue the case to the nth degree I think you will shoot yourself in the foot.

cat64 · 23/05/2011 17:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Annie456 · 23/05/2011 17:35

I'm not talking about pregnancy yoga or a tour of the maternity ward! And I'm not even debating what is morally right or fair. My opinion or someone elses doesnt even come into it. I was simply wondering what other peoples experiences had been regarding taking time off for NCT classes when the law states that women are entitled to time off for antenatal classes (what ever you might think about that). Sorry if I appear short-I'm knackared and my commute is killing me! [sleepy emoticon]

OP posts:

Buranda · 23/05/2011 17:37

I think it just depends on your company's guidelines. Luckily, mine are very flexible and I am allowed to take paid leave for my NCT classes but it does stipulate that I have to clear it with my line manager first.
I don't see why you shouldn't argue the case, after all, if we all took things lying down without a fight, we'd never get anything we wanted!

TheMitfordsMaid · 23/05/2011 17:38

It never crossed my mind to ask for time off for NCT classes. Save some goodwill for your flexible working application! ;-)

GetOrfMoiCase · 23/05/2011 17:39

I think I am basing this on my own personal experience, which was work gave me paid leave to attend the NHS classes, however if I were to attend the NCT classes in addition I would have to take annual leave.

Which is fair I think, however I was speaking to a pregnant friend recently who said that the NHS have cut classes now, so it is NCT or nothing. So I think in that case you should get paid leave.

Original poster

Annie456 · 23/05/2011 17:42

(There's no good will for flexible working as they've already said it's full time or no-time...my commute is 3 hours on a good day so full time is not an option!)

OP posts:

Mumswang · 23/05/2011 17:55

My company is amazingly accommodating and flexible, can't fault tjem in their treatment of me throughout my pregnancy, but no, i wouldn't get paid for time off to attend NCT classes, nor would I expect to.

festive · 23/05/2011 18:19

Yes you are entitled to paid time off for antenatal classes, I did. Why does it matter if they are private or not? Mine were condensed into 2 full week days, and i took this off and did not have to use annual leave days (my dh did though). These were the classes that NCT recommended for my due dates in the area i wanted, there were evening classes but further away and also much earlier so the ladies from that class would have been at an entirely different stage in the pregnancy to me. I would double check as am pretty sure you are entitled.

a11yJ · 23/05/2011 18:33

you are entitled to time off for 'parent craft classes' i.e nct ante-natal classes as they are recomended for all mums to be, it doesnt matter if they are private!
www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1080903029&type=RESOURCES

notasausage · 23/05/2011 20:14

Don't they also have to justify why they won't allow flexible working?

TheMitfordsMaid · 23/05/2011 20:29

There is no entitlement as such. You may be entitled to classes if they are recommended by a doctor but as most NHS hospital provision is a 2 hour class in the evening, I think you'd struggle to convince s GP to call your 2 day class essential, particularly when the majority of people either can't afford the NCT or don't get on it.

Everyone knows you do NCT to buy nice middle class friends to knock around with on maternity leave. They might as wll cut out the lentil weaving and head straight to the pub, no?

crazyhead · 23/05/2011 20:44

I'm 100% certain my work WOULD let me - I work for a university with generous policies, but it is also due to the attitude of my manager, who I think wants me to have as much time with the baby as possible, so will try to be really flexible before birth to maximise the time I can take. I probably wouldn't ask though - partly because I've had LOADS of medical appointments already cos they initially thought I was high risk, plus time off for a family illness - and I just feel that for me and the OH NCT is more a bit of a jolly.

However, if my work were a bunch of b***ds and I was damn sure I wouldn't be coming back, I would think screw it and push it. NCT is grey area stuff, so you'll get a lot of variation - but if you're at the 'get what I can while I'm still there' point, go for it.

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