What do people do about time off for hospital appointments for dc ?

[MrsMorgan]

Starting a new job soon and i'm wondering what happens if I need to take time off for hospital appointments for any of my children.

Dd2 has an appointment about having a brace fitted in Nov, and I need to go as it is the first appointment where she should actualy be able to start treatment. If it were an appointment for just a check up then i'd be happy for my mum to take her.

Also, dd1 has just been refered to the hospital for possible scoliosis and so I will also need time off for that appointment, and possibly more if she requires treatment.

Presumably I will have to book time off for things like this, but what if I have not acrued any holiday by then ??

You can usually take holiday before you've accrued it, it isn't an issue unless you leave before the end of the holiday year and you have taken more than you have accrued by that point. Otherwise they may have a system where you may take it unpaid or as time off in lieu where you arrange to work the hours at another time.

You need to check your employers policy on this.

At our workplace, we allow up to 3 days per year 'dependant leave' which allows for hospital appointments, or time to make other childcare arrangements for periods when children are sick.

Ah right, thank's both. I'll check their rules then

IME it's been more straightforward since dc2 was diagnosed with a disability requiring regular hospital appointments. Just seems a lot easier when there's a definite diagnosis, clear need for treatments and checks etc

Was far more tricky when it was just the 'usual' orthodontist/dentist/doctor appointments for 3 children and both of us working F/T!

Check their policy, and if needs be take time unpaid.

We're not normally allowed to do routine doctor or dentist appointments during work hours, though obviously emergencies are different.