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Original poster

Antenatal refusal?

75 replies

MrsPearce2015 · 08/12/2014 10:47

Hello all
This is my first time asking advice! I hope I can get some clarity on this issue...
So I've found out I am expecting our second Smile we already have an 11 month old, I'm just 7 weeks and we're very excited.
Now at my work I have 5 managers 2 of which deal with office and hr. I felt it only right to tell these 2 first for obvious Heath and safety issues and my main manager was not in.
So when I eventually get to tell my manager she already knows?? Definite breach of my privacy and I have no idea whose told her but that's not my main issue.
As I've been having complications with this pregnancy and need to have check ups and scans a lot more.
My main issue is this.
My manager has refused to give me time off for my antenatal appointments. Demanding I get someone else to cover my shift or come in to work before or after scan.
I work full time as does my partner and my daughter goes to child care. So as there is an added health risk to both myself and baby I thought there would be allowances to both my working hours and my health.
I feel like my I'm being reprimanded for having children.
What can anyone suggest?

Thanks

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 08/12/2014 10:56

You have a legal right to attend antenatal appointments. I suggest you remind your manager of this and if there are still problems you raise a grievance.

You could print this off and give it to your manager: www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

However, you should make reasonable attempts to come to work and if possible arrange appointments where you can. It isn't on to book an appointment in the middle of the day and not come in at all that day. Most clinics will let you move appointments and where they can't that can't be helped but you should try.

If you need adjustments made to your working conditions due to your pregnancy that should be addressed on your maternity risk assessment. Have you had one yet?

The other stuff like telling your manager about your pregnancy is a non-issue. If your employer needs to know for health and safety then that includes your manager. I'm not sure what your husband's working hours or childcare arrangements have to do with anything??

CheddarGorgeous · 08/12/2014 11:01

Congratulations and I hope it all goes well for you.

As MovingOn has said, you have a legal right to attend appointments, but there should be no reason why you can't attend work before or after.

The fact that you work full time, as does your partner, and your daughter is in childcare is in no way relevant by the way.

Livvylongpants · 08/12/2014 11:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

munchkin2902 · 08/12/2014 11:05

I don't think it's unreasonable for them to ask you to come in before or after your appointment, of course you should do that. They usually only take an hour or two at most. It's not your responsibility to find cover for when you're not there though.

HonestLie · 08/12/2014 11:08

There isn't much to add to what everyone else has said. Although after reading your post I'm actually wondering if you're being asked to come in before/after appointments to make up time? Legally they can't do that but if it's within your normal working day then you should be in before/after.

Bilberry · 08/12/2014 11:08

It is also paid time off.

Original poster
MrsPearce2015 · 08/12/2014 15:48

Everyone thank you
In regards to some things.
I don't think it's unreasonable to ask me to work, but to demand it? And for me to organise cover?
My rota for Christmas week has yet to be made available. I've given advance notice, reason why and why id prefer not to work because of my complications with this pregnancy. It is also a late shift (1030 close) and I struggle terribly with this. I even have a doctors referral and hospital notes proving the effects it's having on me.
My partner and childcare do factor as if one or both aren't avaible I will have to take care of our daughter.
My manager never had a problem with me taking the day off for these appointments even if we were short on staff or if for example it was tomorrow. But my current one is the complete opposite! I suppose it depends on who you deal with :(

OP posts:
Imscarlet · 08/12/2014 15:53

Your childcare arrangements are not the concern of your employer unfortunately. Not sure when your shift ends but if it starts at 10.30am an early morning appointment might suit best as it should only involve you missing out on a shorter period at work. Are you hoping to get a full day off for every appointment?

flowery · 08/12/2014 16:09

My partner and childcare do factor as if one or both aren't avaible I will have to take care of our daughter.

Your partner and childcare absolutely do not factor in your right to take time off work for antenatal appointments. If it's time off work, ie you would normally be at work, then your daughter should be in her usual childcare arrangement.

Bilberry · 08/12/2014 16:15

It is reasonable to try and arrange appointments to avoid missing work but I don't think there is any obligation to do so. As far as I understand it you just need to tell work 'I have antenatal appointments at these times'. The amount of time you can take off for these appointments is the time it takes to travel to your appointment, attend it, then return. Of course if you are a commenter this could be a big chunk of your day. How much you want to help your work will depend on whether you intend to return, how they have treated you and how much of a dick your manager is being!

Bilberry · 08/12/2014 16:16

Commuter

HonestLie · 08/12/2014 17:01

Sorry I'm really not following this I don't think. You don't think it's right for your work to demand you attend work before/after an antenatal appointment within or out with your contracted hours?

It's not up to you to find cover though, that is down to your manager.

HermioneWeasley · 08/12/2014 20:36

As others have said, you have the right to time off for the appointment, not the whole day. It is perfectly reasonable to insist that you attend work (and yes to demand if you are refusing) before/after the appointment (assuming that's your shift).

A sympathetic employer might consider the impact of your pregnancy when allocating shifts, but are under no obligation to.

Your Childcare and husband's work is irrelevant.

You sound a bit precious TBH. If this is coming across at work, it might explain why your manager is being less sympathetic.

KirstyJC · 08/12/2014 20:47

Can you clarify - are they demanding you make up the time you are attending antenatal appointments, or simply demanding that the day you are meant to be working you come in during your working hours when not at the appointment? They are very different things!

Eg- if you work 9-5 and need to go to an appointment at 1pm that is 30 mins away, then you would be perfectly entitled to work from 9 until, say, 12.25-ish to allow you to get there, and then have you back at work from whenever you get back from the appointment until 5pm. You should not have to make up this time and should be paid as normal - so if they are saying you need to come in at 8 and stay until 6 to make up the time you were out, then they are wrong. You also should not have to sort out cover for the time you are at the appointment.

On the other hand, if you are asking to have the whole day off to go to a single appointment then off course they have every right to be cross and say no. You do not have the right to do this.

If you are not able to work certain shifts/lengths of time due to pregnancy then you need to have this certified by a fitnote from your GP. And if your pregnancy is causing problems you need make sure your work has got your maternity risk assessment up to date as well.

And congratsSmile

gamerchick · 08/12/2014 20:47

You want a full day off for a scan appointment each time you have one?

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 09/12/2014 00:25

I am guessing that whilst this is exciting for you (along with the worry of complications), they might not be as thrilled about another maternity leave etc. When did you return to work after your 11 month old?

Obviously they shouldn't "hold" another pregnancy against you, but if I were you I'd try to be helpful as I could and trying to minimise the impact of my pregnancy.

If you are unable to work due to your complications then that is another issue and you should be signed off.

Original poster
MrsPearce2015 · 10/12/2014 16:18

Mrsmargoleadbetter 6 months reluctantly!
Hermineweasley I sound precious? What do you mean by this?
Kirstyjc she is demanding I come in after. No allowances. I'm sure it's simply because it's Boxing Day and everyone has to work. (Ironically she isn't working) I have a doctors referral for this and hospital notes. As I will need to be there longer than the average 1hr/2hr max.
Yes I have always had my appointments off. And where I could I would try to change the appointment or swap with someone. If it was really short notice But this isn't my responsibility. I was very fortunate to have a manager at the time who was compassionate with my situation before.
Yes it does depend on the managers compassion and I understand this is a business but I also don't want to be looked down upon or thought any less of because I have requested to have the day off 3 weeks in advance I assumed it would be alright. That is not the case. So I wanted to know should I tell her no or make do?
Thanks

OP posts:
SophieBarringtonWard · 10/12/2014 16:23

When you say 'requested the day off' do you mean asked for a day of annual leave? Or do you mean asked that you took the whole day off for an antenatal appointment?

KittiKat · 10/12/2014 16:30

I am a little confused, are you really having an antenatal appointment on Boxing Day?

Imscarlet · 10/12/2014 16:49

If she is demanding that you come in after your appointment she is facillitating your appointment and you have no case for grievance. I'm sorry, I think she is acting reasonably.

eurochick · 10/12/2014 16:53

I agree with pretty much everyone on this thread.

You have a legal right to time off for antenatal appointments.

You should go into work before/after the appointments, not take the whole day.

It is for the employer, not you, to arrange cover for your appointments.

Do you really have an appointment on Boxing Day???

WhyYouGottaBeSoRude · 10/12/2014 16:57

OP if you booked annual leave did you have it cleared by management or just assume it was ok and book it? Or have you just said you need the day for antenatal appointment and manager has said you have to come in after the appointment.

Tbh i am struggling with what your issue is.

WhyYouGottaBeSoRude · 10/12/2014 16:59

I get it. No childcare for your DD available on boxing day so you told work you have antenatal appointment assuming that would get you the day off without losing annual leave. New manager not so soft and said antenatal fine- day off not fine. So now you are cross because you will have to find childcare.

cavkc · 10/12/2014 17:00

It's perfectly reasonable for your employer to insist you come into work before/after your appointment.

Wow an antenatal clinic open on Boxing Day??

If you work shifts why can't you book an appointment in the morning before your shift starts, then you don't have the stress of having to get the time off (even though of course you are legally entitled)

HonestLie · 10/12/2014 17:00

She's granting you time off for the appointment - she expects you in before and after. That's completely reasonable on her part. If it's A/L you've asked for I'm not surprised they've turned it down this late on. If it's a full day for an ante natal appointment your request is not a reasonable one.

You haven't said why you want the whole day. Would you elaborate as to why you feel it's necessary?

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