Employer putting hospital appts down as 'unpaid leave' - is that allowed?

[MummyBear405]

I have type 1 diabetes and the pregnancy wasn't exactly planned so I've had to attend more appointments than usual (average 1 a week since 4 weeks now 9 weeks) but my work has put my last 2 appointments down as 'unpaid leave' which I'm not very happy about.

The thing is I'm not sure if that's allowed or if I should say something to them? I'm still within my 6 month probation and although I don't plan to stick around I need to keep this job until baby arrives so I get maternity pay

It depends on the type of contract you're on.
If it's zero hour you wouldn't be paid for any appts.
If you're salaried on contracted hours I believe the rules are that you should be paid for any pregnancy related appts your GP / Consultant feels is necessary. x

@Wonderway19 I'm on a salary so I think I should get paid but not sure where to find the info to back me up ... I'm a bit nervous to mention anything as I really need this job but don't want to lose out because I said nothing

You should definitely be paid if you have a contract. My manager wasn't best pleased but it's the law. You can find information on the internet stating your entitlements x

Totally not allowed! 😡

You are entitled to paid antenatal appointments, including classes, etc. You may have to provide evidence (like an appointment letter) but they absolutely have to pay you!

If you’re worried, maybe try speaking to HR? They should have picked it up really and they won’t want you not to be paid as you could take them to tribunal. It’s also illegal to discriminate against you because you’re pregnant so they shouldn’t be able to do anything to make life hard for you

Good luck!

Might be a silly question, but have you told them you are pregnant? You are entitled to paid time off for antenatal appointments.

www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5343

I would ring ACAS and speak to someone there.

Tbh I would not rock the boat until you are ready to go on mat leave. Then make a back claim against them.
you do need advice but from a practical point of view it might be easier to go under the radar until then or you might find you fail your probation.

Btw have you checked you will be entitled to maternity pay? Ithe rules quite complicated but definitely double check. I moved country & job and then found out I was pregnant. I was not entitled to any maternity pay. Could not be helped.

Best of luck and congratulations!

Even when i was just doing bar work while pregnant they had to pay me for up to two hours for pregnancy related appointments so yes they should be paying you. You should find the info in your contract or employers policy.

Yes for normal hospital appointments, dentists, doctors etc.

No all for ante natal appointments.

Put it this way.. if you weren’t pregnant, you wouldn’t be taking the time off and therefore you are losing money because you are pregnant, this counts as discrimination although I agree with Mindfulbear I wouldn’t rock the boat, I would wait until your maternity leave and you’re off probation before launching a claim against them, if you’re not sticking around after your leave is finished then there’s nothing to lose

Are you taking the whole day off? Or just an hour or 2 for the appointment? They need to be reasonable, but you are also meant to do your best to arrange appointments for outside of work.

You need to find out your HR policy as reading between the lines it appears it appears that these are been treated as doctors appts not ante natal appts.

There is no reading between the lines & it doesn't matter what your contract says - if these appointments are due to your pregnancy, you are legally entitled to 'reasonable' paid time off for antenatal appointments. The reasonable is a result of allowing for travel time & trying to schedule your appointments so you don't need a full day each appointment.

It 100% depends on your contract, it should be very clear in a copy you should have. From experience I would imagine they would not extend your contract past your probation once they know you are pregnant if they don't already. I hope this doesn't happen but depending on the company I would expect this

Don’t wait until after you are legally entitled to paid time off.

Thanks for your comments everyone!

I told them I was pregnant when I was 6 weeks because I knew there would be more appointments than usual and I didn't want to risk them getting pissed off without knowing what's going on.

HR at this company are a complete joke and the guy who is managing me has no idea what to do! Thanks @kelly14 I sent him that link to the gov website after we'd sat down and discussed it and he said he'll get it sorted.

Not holding out much hope that these guys know what they're doing but as long as I get mat pay I'm happy!