Lying to work... advice please!

[Wiggy29]

I am 7 weeks but do not want to tell work yet (partially because I've went for a promotion and don't want it to affect it but also because I feel it's just too early). I have my midwife appointment soon but it's at the doctors and we're not permitted to have doctor's appointments in work time. Any ideas? I feel very uncomfortable lying/ phoning in sick but I'm unsure what to do. I asked the doctors if I could have a letter stating that it was for a 'clinic' but they said all they can do is give me an appointment card (but I know work will just remind me we can't take them in work time). Ideas?

You can't take doctor's appointments in work time? Not sure I'd want a promotion in a company that had that rule in place. Not sure, and I'm sure someone who knows better than me will know for sure, but I think they HAVE to give you time for things like doctor's appointments, hospital appointments, etc.

Are you allowed hospital appointments? Could say its that? Personally I don't think it's fair that you can't have doc appointments during work time! But i guess not much can be done about that. You could say you really need to see a doc and this is the only time that you can go as its the only appointment available?

I think I would be inclined to lie. I know that is bad but I have racked my brain but with the "no appointments in work-time rule" nothing works!

I will have another think.

Thank you guys. It's because I work in education so they assume it's reasonable to get appointment after the end of the school day, which usually it is, except that the midwife only does her clinic till 2:30! We are allowed hospital appointments but we have to show a letter. I'm really bad at lying so already dreading having to think of/ keep up a realistic lie.

You are legally entitled to time off for pregnancy related apps but that doesn't help if you want to keep it secret (and I would too at this stage with a promotion on the table) . Just take a sickie or holiday for half a day.

Sorry cross posted... Sickie sounds the best option, just half a day if you'll feel guilty.

My docs aren't open outside office hours but luckily not an issue where I work. How do you normally manage, can 't you make the time up or take half day holiday or something?

Sorry x post, see you work in education

I would phone in sick. From personal experience I think you are doing the right thing not telling anyone. I admitted I was pregnant at 10 weeks when my hod admitted someone from another department had announced my pregnancy at break time. Still don't know how she knew

I had thought about (white lie) claiming dc had play/ sports day or similar as they're normally great with things like that but worried if they had to say no (e.g. lots of other staff off that day) I'd have to awkwardly come up with a further lie.

Could you tell someone you trust at work and ask them to cover for you as well?

Maybe ask if the midwife can be more flexible? Could you go to another clinic or would they do a home visit after 4pm or something - depends where you are, you can only ask! I know the ones I work with would accommodate a special request - better than lying to work which you may not be comfortable with.

It would go across two lessons in the morning so highly unlikely anybody would be free to cover all lessons. I'm honestly not being deliberately awkward with your responses, I really appreciate them but feel like lying may be the only answer, which brings me out in a nervous sweat already!

Lyndie- that's a brilliant idea! I'm going to ring the doctor's in the morning and ask. I'l let you know what the outcome is. That would make my life much easier

Could you contact your midwife for advice? If it is your booking appointment she may be able to come to you or let you know if it would be safe for you to wait until the Summer holidays (they really can't do much at 7 weeks).

That's ridiculous. I am a teacher too and cannot believe that they wouldn't cover your class for the morning for an appointment. I would tell them you need the appointment if I were you. You don't have to tell them what the appointment is for and they are on very dodgy ground if they refuse.

Pregnancy related appointments are allowed during work time & they have to give you reasonable paid time off for them. However, as your job wouldn't know it is pregnancy related, they're not obligated to give you time off (I.e you would have to work it back). This is the case with many companies. Sorry, not much help I'm afraid!

Could you delay your appointment til the holidays? It's only another couple of weeks, and some surgeries don't make appts before 9 weeks anyway? Just a thought. Bad crack the clinic finishes so early