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Original poster

Do you take annual leave when you have hospital appointments?

30 replies

rosinavera · 18/03/2019 19:37

I'm starting a job next week after a long time out of the workforce. I will be working four days a week and I wondered if I should take annual leave when I have hospital appointments? I had cancer last year for which I had surgery and now I just have to have scans once a year and then a consultant appointment.

OP posts:

Lazypuppy · 18/03/2019 21:22

Depends how long the appointment is. Either AL, or just leave early and make up the hours the next day

WhatNow40 · 18/03/2019 21:39

They will have a policy, just ask your line manager. A lot of companies give 1-2 hours for a medical appointment without making back the time. Longer and you would take annual leave.

wonkylegs · 18/03/2019 22:14

I've never taken AL and in my old job (am now self employed) I went to short hospital appointments at least every month and longer ones at least every 6months for 10years but they knew I had a disability from the start and that I would need to take that time out. I usually tried to make up time out by working through lunch or staying a bit late but it was made clear to me that I didn't have to (I chose to so I could keep on top of my projects / workload)

greenelephantscarf · 18/03/2019 22:17

depends - check contract/policies
we can use toil if outside core hours 10-12 and 14-16)
otherwise would have to take half a day al

origamiunicorn · 18/03/2019 22:20

Not only place of work. All medical visits, GP, dentist, hospital etc. are all covered by a separate booking code. I can't imagine taking AL for these types of visits

origamiunicorn · 18/03/2019 22:21

Not at my place of work.

cstaff · 18/03/2019 22:24

I make a point of getting the earliest appointment possible usually 8.30 and get into work by 10.30ish. They don't take this as time off but if my appointment is later I would have to take a half day to cover it.

EleanorDashwood · 18/03/2019 22:25

I have regular post cancer check ups and have never taken annual leave. I do try and make up some of the time by not taking a separate lunch break on that day, but that's down to me, it's not an obligation.

Peghi · 18/03/2019 22:28

I dont take annual leave either - my employer is obliged to let me attend my appointments (post cancer too) but not to pay me for them. No employer in 10 years has ever asked me to make it up, although I take toil occasionally if I have it.

BrokenWing · 18/03/2019 22:31

I usually work 5-10 hours over contracted time each week anyway so work has no problem letting me work from home and having time off for any Dr, dentist, hospital appointments for me, ds or important appointments for elderly mum. If they didn't I wouldn't be doing the extra hours, it's all about give and take.

GrumpyOldMare · 18/03/2019 22:35

No,I ask for the day off.
I work in a restaurant so my hours are anything between 9-6 Monday to Sunday with between 1 and 4 days off a week depending on time of year.We don't get set/or the same days off every week but can ask for a certain day off if needed.

AntiHop · 18/03/2019 22:36

Everywhere I've ever worked, you make the time up another day. Unless it's got a procedure that would take all day, then it would be sick leave.

SauvignonBlanche · 18/03/2019 22:40

I’v had continuing treatment for a brain tumour and have to travel quite a way to specialist centre. I’m always getting appointments in the middle of the day so have to take a full days annual leave from my NHS job.

swapsicles · 18/03/2019 22:40

I tend to do everything on my days off or swap shifts so I'm in later and can have appointments in the morning, my days off do seem to be busier than work days sometimes!

Polarbearflavour · 19/03/2019 12:59

Nope! I’ve worked in the private sector and public sector and it’s always been paid special leave.

YesQueen · 19/03/2019 13:00

Yes, I go every 12 weeks and use AL

Original poster

rosinavera · 19/03/2019 13:06

Bit of a mixture then! I was a bit worried because my employer doesn't know that I've had cancer, I didn't even think to bring it up but I'm not sure where I would stand if I need time off for hospital appointments.

OP posts:

Aragog · 19/03/2019 17:29

I teach so cant take annual leave. As I have arthritis I do have fairly regular hospital and nurse appointments. Fortunately the departments will always give me an early slot - often 8:15-8:30am. My school is fab and I've never had an issue taking the time, and having someone - normally one of our TAs - cover me for an hour until I can get there.

Heartlake · 19/03/2019 21:21

When you get there, check both their sickness absence and authorised leave policies. Some employers give paid time off for specialist appointments.

A cancer diagnosis is treated as a disability with the meaning of the Equality Act 2010, so provided you share this information with your employer, they are obliged to consider reasonable adjustments for you. This may however just be facilitating time off, there's no specific obligation for it to be paid.

You really can be supported best if you discuss your situation openly (in private of course) with your employer. Not everyone wants to do this though in which case you'd have to pre-arrange annual leave.

Original poster

rosinavera · 20/03/2019 10:01

Thank you @Heartlake. Do you think it will go against me though for not revealing it at interview?

OP posts:

Heartlake · 20/03/2019 22:02

No, not at interview, it's fine to say or not say whatever you like until you have an offer of a job.

It may be problematic however, if they have had a pre-employment screening questionnaire that you have completed and not declared your condition. Not every employer however does this.

Therefore if they haven't specifically asked you about this already, it will be helpful for you and for them to talk about it during the induction process.

Original poster

rosinavera · 20/03/2019 22:39

@Heartlake

Thank you again. The only question asked on my questionnaire was whether I had any health conditions that could impact on my working day which I could honestly answer no to as I am 100 per cent well, I've had my first six month post-op scan which was clear and so going forward I just have to have yearly scans for the next four years.

OP posts:

Heartlake · 21/03/2019 09:23

You should be fine then. Hopefully you'll get paid time off.

Glad you're on the mend

Original poster

rosinavera · 21/03/2019 09:51

Thank you Heartlake :-)

OP posts:

Megan2018 · 21/03/2019 09:56

We have a policy for paid leave for medical and dental appointments and do not have to take annual leave. We have to book it off, but it's not deducted from leave allowance.
We are expected where possible to book them near the start or end of the day and to make up any essential work missed.

In your circumstances you'd have a full OH referral though as our health questionnaire is very thorough and asks for details of all hospital treatment in the past 5 years etc. It wouldn't impact employment negatively and you'd actually get more allowances made.

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