getting paid for hosp appointments?

[dagusa]

Hi, I have a question that is a bit unusual, I hope someone can help me with this. I had 2 miscarriages in the last six months. Whith my first pregnancy I told everyone straight away as I was so excited, anyway, it ended at 8 weeks as missed miscarriage and I had surgery to remove the pregnancy. I had about ten days off work all together, including all appointments, I was suprised when I got paid that month as they paid me for all those days when I was off. When I was pregnant again I didn't tell anyone but my boss, and that pregnancy ended more or less like the first one. This time I didn't get paid for any of the days when I was at hospital, they even reduced my wage for the single hours when I had to leave early to see doctor etc. I'm confused, is there a law that explains if a woman has a miscarriage should she still get paid for time off work? Like when you are pregnant? Now I am 7 weeks pregnant and just about to go for a scan, I am so scared and nervous! Thanks to anyone who replies

I'm sorry to hear about your mascarriages, and hope everything runs smoothly with this one.

I think you should get your antenatal appointments paid for, and I can't see how it could be at a managers discretion to give time off after a m/c. Is there a union where you work, if not, I would advise CAB, or if they are unable to help you, maybe try speaking to someone on a more senior level.

All the best x

I've not got direct experience but I am a temp and whilst my temp agency pay me for antenatal appts, when I had to have an amniocentesis they wouldn't pay for that or for the two consultations I had to attend before having it done.
Seemed harsh to me but I don't know the laws so didn't argue it.

If it's needed or doctor/midwife recommended, then it counts as pregnancy related time off.

My miscarriage counted as pregnancy related. Also, you can always ask a doctor for a note if you need time off to recover from a miscarriage.

Technically I think you have to distinguish between antenatal appointments and sick leave.
antenatal while you are still pregnant is paid for. After losing the baby any time off would be sick leave. It may well be that you have used up your sick leave allowance on your first miscarriage which is why you got paid and with the second you simply ran out and went down to satutory sick leave pay.
I know its harsh considering what you went through. Luckily with my 2 M/C's I was able to be back at work quickly so didnt use up my 'allowance'.
Basically you need to check out your company maternity and sick leave policies - assuming you are in a large enough company to have them as well as any policy for taking time off for doctors/hospital/dentist appointments.

All the best for any furture pregnancies

Thank you all for your answers, I do work for a large company and haven't used up my sick pay as it is 6 weeks full pay. I am going to talk to the human resources tomorrow, see what they think. AND i am back from my scan, they saw baby+heartbeat so I'm over the moon!Thanks again