Time off for scan and other appointment

[An0ther]

So my employer has been told more than 3 times that I have appointments this coming Monday. One in the morning one in the afternoon making it so I couldn’t go to work without going away and coming back several times. I’m still down to be working? I’m so anxious that they may ask me to reschedule my appointment. I’ve done this before and I miscarriaged and in fact needed the initial appointment after all. So upset now thinking I might have to arrange my own day off by swooping my days off. I’ve been assured several times that it will be sorted but it still isn’t. 😢

Just don’t turn up - if they can’t plan ahead it’s not your fault. They can’t ask you to re-arrange, you can get them absolutely bollocked for penalising you and making you use holiday to book your maternity appointments.

It is supposed to be one of my two days off a week.

I had to book my maternity appointments on my days off where possible but if no option they can't do that. From what you've said OP it's actually your day off, if that's the case don't worry about it they haven't got a leg to stand on.

I would book my appointments on days off but I don’t know when they are as we often only have 4 weeks at a time and don’t always have the same days off or in at the same times. I have told them before all the dates for me were confirmed so they could plan it in.

I'm sure your employer legally has to give you time off for these appointments and scans.

Also I tried to book the week before I give birth off but it was refused, I give birth in December. Just wondering what is going on in their heads. Am I going to give birth at work?

You’re legally entitled to time off for maternity appointments and scans, they can’t refuse. Send an email restating you have appointments Monday so won’t be working, that’s all you need to do. You can take your maternity leave from earlier than the day you’re due (28 weeks is the minimum) so just say you’d like to start your maternity leave from 1-2 weeks before you’re due and book your annual leave before that.

Also I tried to book the week before I give birth off but it was refused, I give birth in December. Just wondering what is going on in their heads. Am I going to give birth at work?

You mean to start your mat leave?
I mean you can choose to work up to your due date AFIK and if you do they can refuse extra leave I suppose. But of course they can’t tell you when to start your mat leave. Not sure what your work set up is but I would talk to HR or someone else of that calibre if you can. You’re work don’t sound very clued up on maternity rights - they need to be, for their own sake as much as yours.

Legally they must give you time off to attend antenatal appointments. Of course you can try to book appointments at more convenient times for work, but unless just a regular midwife appointment, this isn’t usually possible, and scans etc can’t just be moved.

Any attempt to prevent you from attending is against the law, and penalising you is considered discriminatory. The law is on your side here.

It is also up to you do dictate to them when you will be starting maternity leave. However, if you were hoping to book holiday before your leave starts then your employer can decide whether to approve your chosen dates or not.

Legally you can take your holiday, but when you take it needs to be in agreement with the company.

I have been told to take all of this year’s holiday before I go on mat leave, then will accumulate holiday while I’m off to take afterwards.

Call them and tell them in no uncertain terms you won't be in. Employers are not allowed to refuse you time off for pregnancy related appointments. Its enshrined in employment law. If they tried to reprimand you for it they would be extremely liable to being taken to court.

I was told yesterday morning that I will have time off fully paid

Great! That’s what should happen!