can you be signed off work if you don't want to be?

[debdee]

I'm anaemic and seeing a consultant for it, first appointment was today. Work was really awkward about giving me the time off because I work in a cafe & it was a lunch time appointment.after trying and failing to rearrange they agreed I should go but weren't happy.Managed to get my next appointment in the morning so it isn't so bad but was told if it has dropped more in the tests I just had I'd have to go next week for iron injections. I said I wouldn't be able to as someone is off work having an op next week & mw said if work won't let me have the time off they'll sign me off sick. Can they do that? I don't mind really because I feel bloody awful & want to get it sorted but wasnt sure if it was just something she was sayingor whether they'd actually do it.

It sounds more like they are offering to sign you off sick so that work have got to let you have the time off, as opposed to telling you that you have got to be signed off IYKWIM. If you didn't want them to sign you off just tell them, but I think you should do whatever needs to be done in order for you to get the treatment you need.

You don't have to have any tests, and they can't force you to go along with anything. I'm off at the minute, and my GP asked if that's what I wanted before he gave me the slip. The thing is, if it's the best for your health then I'd go with it, and I imagine your work would however inconvenient it is for them. They don't want something bad happening to you at work when they could have given you the time off to recover.

TBH I don't think my work are that bothered about my well being, I won't be going back after mat leave! I don't really want to get signed off though because I think about other people too much even ifthey only think about themselves :/. Hada call from mw who said hb has dropped again this week so I have to have infusion tomorrow, managed to get an out of work appointment but they want to see me again next week which work will have issue with as I'm doing full time next week so it will disrupt them! Will cross that bridge when it comes to it though ;)

TBH I don't think my work are that bothered about my well being, I won't be going back after mat leave!

Bollocks to them then! Your health and your baby's wellbeing are much more important than people who don't give a stuff about you. I know how horrible it is when work bellyache over appointments but the more they do it the less I care! Remember they will ALWAYS put their needs first (nothing wrong with this as long as it's legal and above board) so you should do the same or you're being taken advantage of. Good luck!

You have legal rights which are designed to protect you during pregnancy. Make sure you know them, and stick up for yourself - you've got those rights for a reason.

Relevant to your situation:

1. You are legally entitled to time off work for antenatal care. It doesn't matter that your employer is short-staffed - that's not your problem. You should try to get appointments at a time that suits them, but if you can't then tough - you need those appointments.
2. Your employer isn't allowed to discriminate against you for being pregnant. The government guidelines specifically mention that making you redundant or cutting your hours is illegal, as is treating time off sick as a disciplinary issue. If you need treatment, they're absolutely not allowed to give you a hard time about it (so don't let fear of that stop you from going to the appointments).

They're also obliged to make sure that the work you do doesn't cause a risk to you or your unborn baby - e.g. lifting heavy weights, or too much time standing. They have to give you rest breaks if you need them, and even offer you different work if what you are doing is causing you a problem.

Have a look at the government guidelines here

You can't be signed off on maternity leave unless you have been off sick for a reasonable amount of time, and are after a certain week in your pregnancy. Your place of work has to allow you time off for antenatal appointments, in the same way as if you had a long standing health issue they wouldn't be able to sign you off sick just because you had regular appointments relating to your illness.