Excessive medical appointments

[user678544]

Today my manager called me into his office to tell me that my medical appointments have become excessive and that he will have to start disciplinary process if it continues.
I have an ongoing medical condition that requires appointments in a hospital a few hours away from where I live so I need the whole day off for appointments. Any appointments close to home I always arrange for out of work hours.
I have been having 1-2 appointments per month and have used holiday and unpaid leave to take them.
Im really worried I can't afford to lose my job but I have to attend the appointments.

What are they proposing?

Can you ask for late afternoon appointments so you only have to have a half day off?

@topcat2014

What are they proposing?

He said maybe I should look at reducing my hours to fit my appointments in but it would still cause problems as the day of the appointments change.

What do HR say? What is their policy for appointments? Surely they have a duty of care and should support where possible. Are you falling behind on work or is it impacting your colleagues? I can't understand how they can discipline you if you're ill and genuinely can't move the appointments.

So you’re a) genuinely ill, with appointments letters to back up the need for hospital visits, abs b) taking the time as holiday or unpaid leave, rather than as paid sick leave?

I don’t see your manager’s issue.

Have you asked to borrow his magic wand so you can get rid of your medical condition, so it stops inconveniencing them? If he looks surprised, ask him how else you can stop the problem being an issue. Perhaps he’d like to explain his medical credentials to validate his proposed solution.

Sorry you work for a tosser, OP.

Is there a company policy?

Is your illness classed as a disability?
I believe if not, your sickness record can be grounds for being let go. Twice a month is quite excessive if they're full days. I appreciate you don't feel its your fault, but I'm not sure that it would make a difference from a company point of view.
There is a poster, flowery, who is an employment lawyer I believe. He/she posts great advice, so potentially they'll be along at some point to give you definitive answers.

How long have you been there?
Do you give notice and evidence of appts?
Are you trying to minimise time off and impact to work?
Have you explained your medical condition in a formal well being?

@jelly79

How long have you been there? Do you give notice and evidence of appts? Are you trying to minimise time off and impact to work? Have you explained your medical condition in a formal well being?

I have been there 6 years. I give as much notice as I can as soon as I have the appointment I let my manager know. Sometimes the notice can be quite short though (2 weeks) I show evidence, there have been a few times I have just asked for a day holiday without explaining that its for an appointment as it just feels easier to do this. I do try to minimise the appointments as much as possible and how they impact my work, I have said I can work later/earlier on other days to make up the time/catch up on work if needed. My manager knows about my medical condition as I was signed off work for 8 months with it.

My organisation gives no time for routine medical appointments but they give the lesser of actual time or a half day for hospital appointments. Anything more has to be covered with leave, unpaid leave, or toil that has been accrued.