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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Can I really take paid time off for Pregnancy appointments?

31 replies

GibraltarRocks · 25/04/2017 20:29

Currently 10+2 and wanting to tell work soon. I have a lot of extra appointments due to increased risk, so consultants etc. Not sure who to inform of my pregnancy since our Line Manager left and we don't have a new one...

Can I really take paid time off to go to these appointments, plus travel to and from? Seems a bit generous to me.

Our usual policy at work is, if you have a Dr's appointment, make it for morning/evening and make the time you took off up with unpaid overtime, if you see what I mean. Does the same apply for Pregnancy related appointments? My hospital of choice is quite a way away so I'd be making up at least 4 hours each time!

I work for the NHS if that's any help

OP posts:

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Divaroses26 · 25/04/2017 20:33

I work in HR - yes you do get time for ALL pregnancy related appts - Your DP will also be entitled to the time to attend the appts with you.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 25/04/2017 20:33

Yes, paid time off for maternity appointments is detailed on the Acas website m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5343 and your partner can have paid time off to attend two of the appointments also.

Oly5 · 25/04/2017 20:34

Yes all pregnancy appts can be done on office time and are paid

ememem84 · 25/04/2017 20:35

Our policy is that we can take time for preg related appointments. Even so I've tried as much as poss to schedule mine for lunchtimes. Otherwise I'd be coming and going all day. Obviously I take my lunch after appointment.

Original poster

GibraltarRocks · 25/04/2017 20:35

So I don't have to make the time up if I don't want to?

Wow, that's great

OP posts:

Hobbitch · 25/04/2017 20:38

Paid time off for antenatal appointments is a legal right.

Emma2803 · 25/04/2017 20:39

You definitely don't have to make up the time whether you want to or not!!

Original poster

GibraltarRocks · 25/04/2017 20:56

Fab, nice little perk I didn't know the full extent of, given other Maternity topics like leave aren't that great pay wise

How much notice do I have to give for appointments? I took a day's holiday to see my Midwife yesterday who's booked me in for 2nd May to see a specialist. What proof do I need of this appointment and who do I tell since I have no line manager? Will HR want to know?

HR are buggers to get hold of

OP posts:

ClaraLane · 25/04/2017 20:58

I try and arrange my appointments for first or last thing but I don't make up the time like I normally would which is nice!

Emma2803 · 25/04/2017 21:16

Who ever does your rota or who you give your leave requests to. I would tell them as soon as you find out and if midwife has written it down in your notes just show that. I don't think you should have to contact hr for each appointment.

With regards to maternity pay also if you are employed by NHS you are entitled to 8 weeks full pay, 18 weeks half pay plus statutory pay and 13 weeks statutory pay providing you have been there 6 months before you became pregnant.

Original poster

GibraltarRocks · 25/04/2017 21:37

Emma That person use to be a very responsible manager but it is now someone very unprofessional so that makes me nervous, if I'm honest. I suppose I have no choice though.

Have not been at NHS 6 months before I fell, no. But would have worked there over 6 months by the time baby is due.

OP posts:

SelfObsessionHoney · 25/04/2017 21:40

I just show my line manager the back of my maternity notes which is where my midwife write my appointment times and dates on. I showed them my scan letters to prove those.
I do try and book appointments for quieter times at work mind you, but there's not a cat in hells chance I'm going to be offering to work the time back!!

Emma2803 · 25/04/2017 22:00

Oh that's a pity Gibraltar. I'm not sure what way that would work now. If you were pregnant before you started you might only be eligible for maternity allowance. Definitely contact hr they should be able to advise you on that front. Could you email them at all?

Your line manager replacement person can't refuse to let you go to an appointment. If you tell them as soon as you find out, get letters etc. Then you are doing all you reasonably can to allow them to arrange cover when you are gone.

Original poster

GibraltarRocks · 25/04/2017 22:02

Thanks Emma, would she get a talking to if she told other colleagues when I want it kept private for now?

OP posts:

Hollyhop17 · 25/04/2017 22:23

Defo get the time off. My HR have asked me to book it on the leave system (there is an option for appointments) and just put them in my line managers diary. They havent asked me for proof but if they did I would show them my mat notes.

No, they arent allowed to tell anyone, it is confidential.

nursebickypegs · 26/04/2017 04:39

I'm a nurse in the NHS and at the beginning I was allowed time off, but when my baby developed a heart condition and I needed more appointments, I was told that I needed to use annual leave and switch shifts.

ememem84 · 26/04/2017 06:58

I told my bosses (not nhs staff but you nhs guys are heros) and they kept it quiet until I was ready to tell everyone.

I've told my boss when my appointments are, usually with a couple of days notice and have offered to show him the appointment letters/midwife notes. we had issues recently with other staff members lying about appointments etc to leave early but he hasn't asked to see them.

I showed off the scan pictures though.

TittyGolightly · 26/04/2017 07:07

I work in HR - yes you do get time for ALL pregnancy related appts - Your DP will also be entitled to the time to attend the appts with you

Not correct. The OP gets paid time off for all of them. Her DP is only legally entitled to attend 2 appointments.

Hollyhop17 · 26/04/2017 08:30

Nurse, they shouldnt be making you take annual leave for any appointments. I am consultant led, high risk so have extra appointments and I am still taking paid time off to attned. I schedule them for as close to the end of the day as possible. I would talk to your HR that doesnt sound right to me.

Original poster

GibraltarRocks · 26/04/2017 08:48

In line with that Nurse said, maybe the NHS might make me take time off as leave if these appointments start getting ridiculous.

I've had 5 already and I'm 10+3 today. They've all come out of my leave though as I haven't told anyone at work I'm pregnant. Surely if I keep taking time away to see various consultants for maternity, they'll want me to use my leave? It might start getting ridiculous, next week I have 2 people to see that afternoon so will need to go at 1 and I don't usually finish until 6

I've tried arranging them at later on times/first thing but no such like with my hospital - they give you two options for times, take them or leave them.

OP posts:

Hollyhop17 · 26/04/2017 09:17

I'm sure they wont like it Gibraltar but the law is the law. If you'd like reassurance either read gov.uk or ring and speak to ACAS, who are really helpful. Good luck.

Hollyhop17 · 26/04/2017 09:18

Of course the law states that you can only get paid time off when you tell them, so until then you would have to use annual leave. It might be worth telling them early? I had to tell early because I have HG and so was off work for a long time straight away.

nursebickypegs · 26/04/2017 10:47

@Hollyhop17 @GibraltarRocks I'm 35+2 now and on maternity leave.

My work were horrible to me and I hope that Rocks is better supported! I had lots of appointments and because of where I live, our hospital was an hour away each time. Work weren't happy when I said due to baby's heart problems I needed a day off at short notice. They weren't accommodating and made my life hell!

Hollyhop17 · 26/04/2017 10:52

I'm so sorry to hear that Nurse. My work have been abysmal about my HG but better about appointments and more 'standard' related pregnancy stuff.

Glad you're off now. Hope you can enjoy some of your mat leave before your LO makes an appearance.

Lemondrop09 · 26/04/2017 11:05

Nurse, it's shocking that the NHS of all places treats there own staff like that!

Gibraltar, you should have to use any of your leave for appointments. You can tell just your manager and they must keep it confidential if you request. You are protected as a pregnant woman, but only from when your work formally knows about it so it's worth considering telling your management for these reasons, even if you want to keep it quite more generally.

Like Holly, I have HG and I had to ring my manager (in a new job I'd only been in for 5 weeks!), at only 6 weeks pregnant to say - first, surprise in pregnant, and second that I'd been signed off!!!

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