Time off for antenatal appointments

[Zing6]

Hi guys,

So the guidelines are that you are legally entitled to take reasonable time off for antenatal appointments which includes travel time and that this time will be paid.

My question is, what is reasonable time off? I have my first booking in appointment at 2pm last week and I usually finish at 4pm – I left my office at 1.20pm and I didn’t return until the next day as my appointment was delayed and I didn’t even get home until 4.45pm!

So what classes as reasonable time? I know my partner can take up to 6.5 hours per appointment and is allowed to attend two, so is this the non-disclosed time limit?

Advice would be appreciated, I just want to know where I stand if my employer asks me to change times for appointments etc when I think they are very reasonable times.

Thanks!
xx

I look after agency workers and it was up to 4.5 hours including travel time, but we’re in Ireland and in reality we know that you could be waiting all day for some appointments so I’m not too strict about it.

There was a time a worker told us that as her appointment was at noon back at her hospital near home, there was no point in her coming into work at all that day as her commute was so long- that didn’t fly.

You’ll be fine - I think most employers know how appointments etc can’t always go exactly to schedule.

Meant to say- you’d be best checking with HR about the company policy- not just time off for appointments, but check about the sickness in pregnancy etc stuff while you’re at it!

My employer is very generous, but agency staff etc aren’t so fortunate. Best finding out in advance to avoid a nasty shock!

Most employers should accept that you cannot choose when your antenatal appointments are. You can request first thing or late afternoon but in reality you end up with slap bang in the middle of the day.

I always thought "reasonable time off" just meant you go straight there and back (or home if it's the end of the day) and don't faff around. Book them at the start/end of the day if that's possible to reduce inconvenience, but if it's not possible then that's fine. I would hope most employers would realise that you don't always have control when appointments are, nor if they are running late, or how long the appointment takes.

Thanks guys. Not looking to knab any extra time off but the hospital is 30 mins away and takes almost just as long to park so in reality I’d be having an hour off each side plus the appointment and waiting time which I feel is taking the pee somewhat but I can’t do anything about it!!! Xx

I'm the same, hospital is near my house, which is a good 30-45 min drive from work depending on the traffic. It's just how it is though, you aren't taking more time than you need - that's how long it takes to go to and attend your appointment.

Thank you that makes me feel so much better. I went for my first one last week and ended up being 20 mins late as I didn’t account for queuing to park! Luckily they were also running behind so it worked out fine! X

I was sure it was 6.5 hours! Google seems to agree!

That’s for partners though. It does t state any actual amount of hours for us preggos

Wouldnt make much sense for a partner to be allowed more time off than a pregnant lady though

Funnily enough I've got to have the same conversation with my HR as I work 7.30-3.30pm an hours drive from home. Last time when I had a 10am appointment they 'gave' me two hours and I took the rest as holiday which I think is wrong.

Think I'll work from home for any other awkward timed appointments.

I am considering booking the last half of the day off for my 12 weeks scan IF they let me have the whole morning off. I’d only be coming in for an hour and a half which is fine but it would be nice if they said, don’t stress just go straight to the hospital instead.

Yes that’s wrong I think, 2 hours isn’t adequate time for travel, parking, waiting time, appointment... even if you live next door to a hospital and work!