Paid time off for booking appointment??

[ziggymarl]

Hi guys!

Need advice.

I've just told my boss this morning that I am pregnant. Earlier than I would like as I am suffering badly with morning sickness.

However- my boss is difficult when it comes to getting time off in general but now that I have told him, am I entitled to getting time off (just an afternoon) to attend my booking appointment? Or does this not count as antenatal? I've read something online that I need a certificate, but i don't apparently get that till I'm 20 weeks, which is a while away..
Essentially I want to say that I need an afternoon off next week (usually you need to give two weeks notice) to attend my booking but I want to know if i have a strong leg to stand on..

First pregnancy so not sure!

You're entitled to time off for any pregnancy related appointments as far as I'm aware. You're employer can ask for proof e.g. Appointment card or letter.

Congratulations by the way and hope the morning sickness goes soon

You are allowed paid time off for the appointment plus travel time to and from.

Unless you have a large commute, it usually means popping out for the appointment and returning after rather than taking the afternoon off for a ten minute appointment.

My work lets me go to my appointment then work from home for the rest of the day. Would this be a possibility? Takes me about half an hour to 40 mins to drive from my work to the hospital so if my appointment is in the afternoon it’s not worth going all the way back to work after.

But, yes you are absolutely allowed time off for all antenatal appointments and an appointment card or letter should be proof enough for your boss.

My booking in appointment was about an hour. Regular midwife appointments were ten mins.

At our work you would be given all afternoon off. We would try and look at your commute and take that into account.

Thank you everybody for your replies! So helpful.

My commute to my hospital from my work is 1hr. Appointment is at 3pm and I've been told booking appt is about 1-2 hours. By the time I get back it would be past 6.

Im sure future midwife appointments in the middle of the day is fine to pop out and in but think I am going to ask for the afternoon off. I've already changed the appointment because boss wouldn't give me time off previously (before he knew I was pregnant)

It's a stickler but I'll get through it 💪🏽

If your appointment is at 3pm and your commute is an hour you would be perfectly entitled to finish at 1.45ish for the day and not need to use any annual leave. You are allowed time off by law regardless of how “inconvenient” it is to your boss. Don’t allow him to guilt you into using annual wave for this.