Paid time off for exercise?

[blamber]

Does anyone know where I can find the regulations that state you can have paid time off from work for antenatal exercise?

I keep reading that antenatal classes, including relaxation ones, if recommended by midwife can be attended during work time. But I can't find any regulations on this.

My work has said that even though I have a letter from the midwife recommending exercise, I would need a medical reason to be able to get the time off. This means I'll not be able to attend any classes as they are during work time.

Can anyone help?

I've never heard of this!

Is there a reason that you can't just take normal exercise - eg walking, swimming in your own time, or does it have to be supervised and a/n specific?

The midwife or doctor have to advise that you NEED to attend the classes in order for your employer to be required to give you paid time off for this purpose. Simply WANTING to attend the classes isn't sufficient.
Although your midwife has recommended the classes she hasn't said that you need to attend them and that is why your employer can refuse. If you have a medical reason that means you need to attend then you can ask your midwife to specify that more clearly.
You can find advice on this at the citizens advice bureau website.

Why would you want to be paid to exercise? Can't you do it in your own time like everybody else?

My employer allows you to go to pregnancy aquarobics etc. They even told me about it in my meeting....I think many of these classes are held during the day.

I thought it was for people referred to yoga/ Pilates etc for SPD as it is a medical referral? Could work be flexible with hours? You could work early or late so you can attend?

Yes you can get time off but it has to be a 'need to' not just a midwife recommending you try some classes.

It will say something in your maternity pack from HR or your T&Cs of employment.

I used to finish work early to go to aquanatal when I was expecting DS1.

I used to get time off to go to aquanatal when I was pregnant with DC1. Class was around 11am once a week, so I'd go grab some lunch and return to work. My work place/boss at the time was very relaxed at the time. Maybe I kind of made up the time by staying a bit longer at the end of the day.

We allow all our pregnant staff to attend prenatal exercise classes. In this area they are only on in the middle if the day so no chance of staff being able to attend before or after work. It's works well and staff appreciate this little extra.

There are no regulations that say you can have time off for exercise. That's why you can't find them.

What there are are regulations saying that you can have time off for ante natal care. That can include things like NCT, yoga etc where appropriate.

It needs to be a bit stronger than the midwife recommending exercise if your work doesn't want to bend over backwards. It should be a letter saying that she recommends you attend X class and Y time. For example, if she feels that yoga would be good for pelvic floor problems and the appropriate class is in work hours.

Firstly, I want to attend the antenatal classes as they re aimed at pregnant women specifically e.g Pilates. You have to adapt exercise like this to account for being pregnant.

Secondly, if I could go to these in my own time I would. Problem is, I travel between 3 and 4 hours a day to get to work and these classes are only during the week. I can't make them by leaving a bit early either.

Thirdly, I found the regulations. The employment rights act 1996. It days that on the advice of a midwife you can attend antenatal care. It doesn't define what this is, but organisations like citizens bureau say this can include relaxation. It doesn't mention the need for a medical requirement.

Basically, different employers interpret it differently.

Yes, they do, which is why you need a note that references the pilates class and not just that exercise is recommended.

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/entitlements-from-work-when-pregnant

There is some info on that link. The law is very sketchy around time off for antenatal and relaxation classes during pregnancy. It does seem like you will need a doctors note or midwives note specifically staying why the particular class is recommended. Employers do have to give employees time off when specific antenatal classes are recommended during pregnancy but it has to be more reason than 'I want to attend and I need 3/4 hours off work to do so.
Most people would consider flexible working (making the hours up during e week) to enable them to have the time off to attend pregnancy exercise classes. Most people would also look for something local to where they work so that they can do it in less time than 3/4 hours. What you are essentially requesting is half a paid day off work every week on top of the time required for any medical antenatal appointments.

The letter does mention the specific classes but just says they would be beneficial. I also prefer the classes in my local area because they cost a lot less and 'local' ones are still quite a journey away. I wouldn't need half a day off either! But any time is very difficult to make up as I make such long days anyway.

Anyway I don't want to spend more time justifying why I wanted to know this, I just needed a hand understanding the regulations.

I think it's for physio or water therapy for people with bad backs etc' rather than just 'exercise'? Like Penguins says you need a note.

If you don't have any luck with the note (and it sounds as though permission for any time off will be down to the discretion of your employer), teachers of ordinary pilates and yoga classes should be able to show you how to adapt the exercises in pregnancy (if they are good, properly qualified teachers). This applies to any organised exercise class. In the ones I go to, the instructors always ask at the beginning if anyone is pregnant and if so, they explain how to adapt the moves.

I had a look on the Maternity Action site, and they say "Antenatal care can include parentcraft and relaxation classes. You may need a letter to show your employer from your GP or midwife, saying that these classes are part of your antenatal care."

I have not found anything there (or in the gov.uk site) which says it extends to exercise classes. But it might be worth pushing for it if the HCP is actually saying this is required for your care (rather than just 'nice to have')

Maternity Action has a helpline you might like to try for further advice specific to your circumstances.

I also have a long communte to and from work and therefore cannot make any prenatal pilates or yoga classes in my local area... so I brought DVDs get up at 5:45am and do them before I get ready for work :) Much cheaper too :)

Sandwich, I agree. DVDs are brilliant. You can do them whenever you like and in the comfort of your own home. I spent so long trying to find a pregnancy yoga class I could attend. Finally found one which was walking distance from my home, went to one class and then realised I was much happier at home doing my Davina workout!