Can anyone help with pregnancy rights?

[rogl]

I know the law is that you are entitled to paid time off for antenatal appointments and I can see how that works if your salaried or work set shifts. But how does it work for shift workers who's shifts change weekly?

For example I'm contracted 20 hours but always usually work 30, I have a scan due on the Monday which means I won't be available to do the long shift that day but would be able to do the short shift.

There are no other hours to make up for this shift so I loose out on 6 hours of work that week.

So where do I stand? I'm I not entitled because I am effectively working 10 hours overtime each week?

I assume it only covers contracted hours x

So you could do the long shift but with time out to go to the scan?

Unfortunately not, there are two staff need to open up then another comes in later in the day, my scan is 5 minutes before my shifts starts and someone else would have to be on site to open up

Although I recognise this is unfair as you're losing out on pay, I suspect that the rights are for those unable to choose their hours of work. Could you not opt to do a longer shift another day? Or make up the hours later in the week?

Ahh just saw that you're only contacted for 20, so does this mean after your short shift Monday you're still doing 24, or 14? If 24 then you don't really have an argument I'm afraid!!

That's what I thought, gutted really but what can your do

It is a shame, but that's why these companies agree these contracts - so they don't have to give any of the benefits if full time work. Sneaky.

Might be worth a phone call to acas who can advise you. It also would be a good idea to have an average number of hours worked per week to hand, 12 weeks if you have them, more if possible.

Something is niggling in the back of my mind that there could be a way around it but I can't remember 100%.