Paid time off for scans

[ellie1878]

Hi all 😊 I currently work in a school, I was wondering what the procedure is for everyone else regarding time off for antenatal appointments/scans. I have my 20 weeks scan in a few weeks at 11:30am, I work between 8-4 and it takes me a good 45 minutes each way to the hospital from my house which is another 20 minutes away from the school. Would I be expected to come in beforehand and afterwards or can I request the whole day off for it? (I am not entitled to holidays as I am term time only). Thanks in advance 😊

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

I don't think a whole day off is required, eg scan 10 til 10:30 hour back to school, in by 11:30. Doesn't need anything like a whole day

You can book the full day off but they only need to pay you for 'reasonable time off' for an appointment which is not a whole day. I was allowed to take 3 hours for a scan based on my workplace policy. The rest I had to take as A/L or flexi.

You are entitled to paid time off to attend antenatal appointments. If I were you I would go in until 10:30am. That gives you enough time to get to the hospital and park. Your appt may not run on time.

At my 20 week scan the baby was in a funny position and they sent me off for half an hour to have something sugary making my appt about 1.5 hours long including waiting.

I probably wouldn't go back in for the last hour or so. I'd just make an effort to have your midwife apps at the very start or end of the day from now (I had a lovely flexible midwife and could always work around school hours). You only generally have two scans scans the entire pregnancy so it's not taking the mick.

You'll be expected to go in for 8, leave at 10.30, appointment at 11.30, leave hospital midday ish, hour back to school, finish at 4. Contact number on speed-dial for cover manager if your appointment overruns.

I've had to do the same for a funeral previously, same for other routine hospital appointments.

Whole day off isn't required or reasonable. You would be expected to try and time your appointments to lit impact to work as much as you can but if course that is not always possible.

I think taking the whole day off is a bit cheeky. No reason why you can’t work around it.

Thank you all, I think my best bet will be to go in until 10:30 and then hope it all runs on time and make my way back after! I don't want them to think I am taking the mick, especially after just having the summer holidays off 😳🙄

I've got a scan coming up in a few weeks at about the same time as you and I'm still going in to do form time, lesson 1 and then coming back for both afternoon lessons. Did the same in my last pregnancy. Taking the whole day is definitely unreasonable.