Hospital appointments

[user788900]

Are employers required to give time off for hospital appointments?
I have an appointment on Wednesday (I work Monday-Wednesday) which will require a full day off. I usually use holiday for this but don't have any left.
My manager said I would need to work either Thursday or Friday to cover the day. I can't work either of them so I asked if I could just take it unpaid, but he told me I would have to work the day back.

My experience has been maternity appts time off without owing but anything else day off or make time up.

No, they're not required to give time off for medical appointments, unless you are pregnant or (if deemed a reasonable adjustment) disabled.

Could you make up the time next week?

(By next week, I mean week after next.)

generally no, not required to give time off. except for maternity.
depends on the terms of your contract.

@LizDoingTheCanCan

No, they're not required to give time off for medical appointments, unless you are pregnant or (if deemed a reasonable adjustment) disabled.

Could you make up the time next week?

How do I know if it is deemed a reasonable adjustment if disabled?

There's no legal requirement and whether places do or not varies quite a lot, I would speak to HR if you haven't already. If you are disabled as sounds by your last post, you could request to be referred to occupational health to discuss reasonable adjustments if your manager won't, or ultimately escalate to a union I guess.

BTW I'd always recommend reasonable adjustments be formalised.

I get time off for all my hospital appointments... some take the whole day ( I'm NHS )

How do I know if it is deemed a reasonable adjustment if disabled?

That's a complex question! Practically, it is up to the employer to decide what is reasonable, and the individual to challenge that (through the grievance procedure and at tribunal) if they disagree. Papayamya's suggestion of an occupational health referral is your next step, but that won't happen in the space of a week. It would be unusual for an employer to ignore a recommendation by OH.

Even where time off is allowed, that is not to say that it would be paid or you would not need to take the time off. Is there a disability related reason why you cannot make the time up?

that is not to say that it would be paid or you would not need to take the time off

Apologies, that should read 'that is not to say that you would not need to make up the time off'.

@LizDoingTheCanCan

How do I know if it is deemed a reasonable adjustment if disabled?

That's a complex question! Practically, it is up to the employer to decide what is reasonable, and the individual to challenge that (through the grievance procedure and at tribunal) if they disagree. Papayamya's suggestion of an occupational health referral is your next step, but that won't happen in the space of a week. It would be unusual for an employer to ignore a recommendation by OH.

Even where time off is allowed, that is not to say that it would be paid or you would not need to take the time off. Is there a disability related reason why you cannot make the time up?

@LizDoingTheCanCan

I had cancer and I still struggle with fatigue due to my medication. Working Thursday would be difficult for me, the hospital is a 7 hour round trip so I won't be home till late Wednesday.
Friday my DD doesn't go to nursery so its childcare issues.

I personally think it's pretty unreasonable if an employer doesn't let you have time off for a hospital appointment (with notice) if you either offer to make up the time or have it unpaid or annual leave.

I'm NHS and for GP appointments we have to take annual leave or make the time up but for hospital appointments we get the time off and don't need to make it up although there is an expectation that we come back to the office straight after and only leave with carefully factored in travelling time to get there!

Would you feel up to working the following Thursday instead?

Given that fatigue is a symptom of your cancer treatment, it would seem reasonable to allow you to take unpaid leave and not make up the time. If your employer disagrees, and you didn't feel able to make up the time, then things could become difficult. You may need to submit a grievance, but equally they could start a disciplinary.

Are you a union member? This is something your rep could help you negotiate.

Does your manager know you had cancer? As cancer is a disability that frequently requires reasonable adjustments.

Obviously this can't be sorted out in a week as PP said.

If you had cancer then you are covered by the Equality Act for life and your employer has to make reasonable adjustments in circumstances relating to this. However, as it’s a childcare issue I’m not sure. I would discuss your exact circumstances with your union or ACAS.

@LizDoingTheCanCan

Would you feel up to working the following Thursday instead?

Given that fatigue is a symptom of your cancer treatment, it would seem reasonable to allow you to take unpaid leave and not make up the time. If your employer disagrees, and you didn't feel able to make up the time, then things could become difficult. You may need to submit a grievance, but equally they could start a disciplinary.

Are you a union member? This is something your rep could help you negotiate.

@LizDoingTheCanCan I think I could manage the following Thursday maybe not the full hours but maybe half a day. I don't want things to become difficult, I suffer with anxiety I really don't want to go through a grievance or disciplinary. No I'm not in a union.

@RedWingBoots

Does your manager know you had cancer? As cancer is a disability that frequently requires reasonable adjustments.

Obviously this can't be sorted out in a week as PP said.

@RedWingBoots Yeah he knows but I think he thinks that once treatment is over life returns to normal.

Some companies allow disability leave to attend appointments.

I think they are treating you like shit. Cancer is automatically covered by the Equalities Act. What have they done to support you?

Do you have a wellbeing plan in place ?? Its done for all people with a disability where I work....it outlines things like hospital appointments etc ....I also have a risk assessment in place...I have had an assessment from access to work .... my work have been great ....I guess I'm lucky

You are legally entitled to paid time off for ante natal appointments and can't be required to make the time up or use leave.

If this happening raise it with HR or your manager. If you don't get anywhere print out the guidance from Acas and show it to them. If that still doesn't work call acas for advice on how to proceed.

@MajorCarolDanvers

You are legally entitled to paid time off for ante natal appointments and can't be required to make the time up or use leave.

If this happening raise it with HR or your manager. If you don't get anywhere print out the guidance from Acas and show it to them. If that still doesn't work call acas for advice on how to proceed.

Ignore this I misunderstood and thought you were pregnant

@MajorCarolDanvers
But the OP isn’t at hospital for antenatal appointments.

Cross posted

It would be reasonable to offer two 1/2 days on the next two Thursdays.

Definitely explain to your manager you are disabled as defined in the Equality Act and require a reasonable adjustment. The reasonable adjustment is to have a days sick absence to attend a medical appointment. You can self certify and the reason is a medical appointment related to your disability. Explain about the fatigue and that this is how your disability impacts on you.