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

Work and antenatal appointment

6 replies

DoubtingMyPatience · 09/10/2019 19:10

I saw my midwife on Monday who suggest an antenatal course running form the end of October. She said it’s the last one running before my actual due date in January so if I want to go I have to book into this one.
I haven’t been to any classes at all yet as only 25 weeks but this is one I’d like to do.

I said to manager about it and said I’d need to book half a day for an antenatal class, which is on the 31st October. I said I can’t be flexible with the dates or times as it’s the only one before I’m due.

My manager got a bit irritated and said about being tight on staff, then just said she would “think about it”

Now, is she allowed to actually say no I can’t go? I mean I thought I was entitled to antenatal classes and I’ve rearranged other appointments for her to suit her but this one I really can’t change otherwise I would.

The class is 2pm-4pm and my working hours are 8:30-5:30. So I said I would need to leave at about 1:30. I’m not asking for a whole day off, I’m trying to help as much as I can but I’m getting abit upset that I just know she’s going to make me cancel it.

Where do I stand with things like this? I’m a softy too, I’m rubbish at standing my ground and find it really difficult to say no.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Tableclothing · 09/10/2019 19:16

is she allowed to actually say no I can’t go?

No.

And unless she's never had a pregnant employee before, she knows it.

But don't let a worry ("she might not let me go") become a fact in your mind. Wait and see what she says first.

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

DoubtingMyPatience · 09/10/2019 19:18

She hasn’t had a pregnant employee before, but now she’s got 2 pregnant employees Blush

They do know how business works though and she’s given me a maternity policy which is all fine.

OP posts:
Wellie89 · 09/10/2019 19:21

You are legally entitled to time off for antenatal appointments and classes if recommended by your Midwife or Dr.
This includes private ones like NCT. Your manager is perfectly entitled to say its not ideal and to point out the consequences for others if you aren't there. But, if you can get a letter or something from your midwife to say recommend it, then they can't stop you.

There's a page of the gov.uk site about legal entitlement for antenatal appointments it's worth looking up, printing out and showing to your manager!

ThisMustBeMyDream · 09/10/2019 19:22

I'm a midwife. You are absolutely entitled to this time off. Antenatal care includes routine appointments, scans, aquanatal, parent education classes (parentcraft), emergency appointments/admissions, plus the time to travel to and from and waiting at these appointments/classes.

Wellie89 · 09/10/2019 19:24

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

ThisMustBeMyDream · 09/10/2019 19:24

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

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