Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Pregnant, off sick, my rights??

97 replies

Londonaries · 12/09/2024 13:56

I have been off sick for 8 months. I am pregnant (due March 2025) and still off work with ‘’pregnancy related anxiety’’. (Speech notes to distinguish the official reason for readers).

My employer (they know my pregnancy status) has asked me to see their GP for an occupational health review due to the length and nature of my absence. I am currently staying with family which is helping my recovery 100 away from the city the office is based in.

They initially asked me to have an occupational health appointment at a place of my comfort and convenience but are now insisting I see a GP near the office (100 miles from where I am staying with my family) and they said they will not pay travel expenses (I am currently on zero sick pay).

If I do not attend they said they may start a disciplinary process based on not undertaking a reasonable request from employer or unable to work.

This seems a little pushy and I’m not sure on my rights. I am happy to go to their GP if that’s what they want, they are being very specific about seeing this GP I am currently not near, I feel they should cover my expenses.

Anybody have experience of this or know what rights I have?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 12/09/2024 13:59

Have you asked to do it as a video call?

Star81 · 12/09/2024 14:00

To be honest I don’t think they should be responsible for covering your expenses. Going to see a doctor near the office is no different to travelling into the office on a working day which I assume they don’t cover. Also, it’s not your companies issue that you have relocated at the moment.

Since you’ve already been off sick for 8 months you must have been off with another condition before the pregnancy, have you seen a doctor or occupational health before ?

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 12/09/2024 14:01

If you are due March 25, you probably fell pregnant May/June.

You said you've been off sick 8 months so the majority of your sickness prior to pregnancy and not pregnancy anxiety.

If your permanent home is close to work it's reasonable to ask to travel to an appointment.

Mrsttcno1 · 12/09/2024 14:03

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 12/09/2024 14:01

If you are due March 25, you probably fell pregnant May/June.

You said you've been off sick 8 months so the majority of your sickness prior to pregnancy and not pregnancy anxiety.

If your permanent home is close to work it's reasonable to ask to travel to an appointment.

Yeah exactly this. You’ve only been pregnant since June so you’ve been off for 4-5 months before that.

They can ask you to attend and do not have to provide any expenses for this because you have chosen to go 100 miles away. Their office and your home are much closer than that, so as it was your choice to go so far away it is also your expense to get back for that appointment.

SemperIdem · 12/09/2024 14:09

I am surprised they haven’t tried to involve OH before now, your absence predates your pregnancy by quite some time.

InNeedOfAWin · 12/09/2024 14:09

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 12/09/2024 14:01

If you are due March 25, you probably fell pregnant May/June.

You said you've been off sick 8 months so the majority of your sickness prior to pregnancy and not pregnancy anxiety.

If your permanent home is close to work it's reasonable to ask to travel to an appointment.

This. They’re not being unreasonable in asking you to see a GP close to where you work.

Peonies12 · 12/09/2024 14:12

I'm not sure you do have rights, it's your choice to move away, and you're still employed there.

rubyslippers · 12/09/2024 14:13

They’re not being pushy at alll
on the contrary, you’ve been off work for at least four months prior to your pregnancy
why were you initially signed off
contractually, I would imagine you will have to agree to the request which is not unreasonable from their perspective
they don’t know / care that you’re 100 miles away

Original poster
Londonaries · 12/09/2024 14:15

Ok interesting take everyone. In my mind I didn’t consider asking me to travel 100miles from my current place of recovery is reasonable.
Yes pre pregnancy I was signed off work for anxiety.
No I have not seen occupational health before.

OP posts:
KerryBlues · 12/09/2024 14:15

If I do not attend they said they may start a disciplinary process based on not undertaking a reasonable request from employer or unable to work.
Well, you do indeed seem unable to work, do you expect your employers to keep your job open indefinitely?

rubyslippers · 12/09/2024 14:17

Londonaries · 12/09/2024 14:15

Ok interesting take everyone. In my mind I didn’t consider asking me to travel 100miles from my current place of recovery is reasonable.
Yes pre pregnancy I was signed off work for anxiety.
No I have not seen occupational health before.

You’re employed by them still so theyre ok to assume you’re able to get to your workplace / appt
why don’t think they shouldn’t ask you to do that?

NowYouSee · 12/09/2024 14:18

I think you’d struggle to say it is unreasonable to say an ask to see a GP after being out for 8 months is pushy. And I think given this is near the office if you’re contracted to work there I think costs is a stretch in the same way they wouldn’t pay travel costs if there was a meeting in the office. Are these costs much? If this would genuinely cause you financial hardship you could tell them that and ask them to make an exception but if this is a point of principle this is not a hill I would die on.

Mrsttcno1 · 12/09/2024 14:19

Londonaries · 12/09/2024 14:15

Ok interesting take everyone. In my mind I didn’t consider asking me to travel 100miles from my current place of recovery is reasonable.
Yes pre pregnancy I was signed off work for anxiety.
No I have not seen occupational health before.

You chose to go 100 miles away, so it’s your burden to travel back to meet their requirements.

Orangeyblanket · 12/09/2024 14:20

They’re in the right here.

Are you anticipating going back to work before your due date?

Paganpentacle · 12/09/2024 14:21

They are perfectly legitimately within their rights to ask you to attend an OH appointment.
They don't need to cover travel expenses- they didn't ask you to move 100 miles away.

Original poster
Londonaries · 12/09/2024 14:22

KerryBlues · 12/09/2024 14:15

If I do not attend they said they may start a disciplinary process based on not undertaking a reasonable request from employer or unable to work.
Well, you do indeed seem unable to work, do you expect your employers to keep your job open indefinitely?

Of course not. I think you have missed the context and spirit of the question.

OP posts:
Original poster
Londonaries · 12/09/2024 14:23

NowYouSee · 12/09/2024 14:18

I think you’d struggle to say it is unreasonable to say an ask to see a GP after being out for 8 months is pushy. And I think given this is near the office if you’re contracted to work there I think costs is a stretch in the same way they wouldn’t pay travel costs if there was a meeting in the office. Are these costs much? If this would genuinely cause you financial hardship you could tell them that and ask them to make an exception but if this is a point of principle this is not a hill I would die on.

Helpful response!

OP posts:
EternallyDelighted · 12/09/2024 14:24

I don't see why they should cover your expenses either, it is not their problem that you have relocated yourself 100 miles away. It is not unreasonable to be asked to come back to the office or environs for a meeting.

What outcome do you want from this process? Do you want to be supported back into the workplace or are you looking for a way out. I am a bit puzzled about your living circumstances too, do you intend moving back to your own place or have you moved back in with family and planning to work remotely when you return.

BluesandClues · 12/09/2024 14:25

I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all, you’ve been off work eight months and haven’t seen anyone in all that time in relation to your absence.

Viviennemary · 12/09/2024 14:25

If you've been offered eight months already pregnancy anxiety couldn't have been the original cause of your absence. I don't think they are obliged to pay your travel expenses when you have chosen to move 100 miles away. But I don't see why you can't see a doctor nearer to where you are staying.

mummyh2016 · 12/09/2024 14:27

Why is it now pregnancy anxiety? Surely it's just anxiety if you were suffering with it before you were pregnant. Pregnancy hasn't caused it. Are you now labelling it as pregnancy anxiety to try and back your employer up a wall as you know anything pregnancy related can't be held against you?
What are your plans after you've had the baby, are you going to leave or return to work?

Cheesecakecookie · 12/09/2024 14:28

I imagine they are wanting to know when you will be well enough to return. It’s been 8 months - that’s hardly pushy if it’s taken them this long to ask.

Its not unreasonable of them to ask you to see their chosen GP and it’s hardly their fault you have chose to go 100 miles away.

mummyh2016 · 12/09/2024 14:28

Pressed post too soon. I think it's fair enough they arrange for the appointment near your office.

Original poster
Londonaries · 12/09/2024 14:29

RandomMess · 12/09/2024 13:59

Have you asked to do it as a video call?

Yes, they want an in person with GP. Fair enough but why ask me to travel 100 miles when they know I am staying with family.

OP posts:
Barrenfieldoffucks · 12/09/2024 14:29

EternallyDelighted · 12/09/2024 14:24

I don't see why they should cover your expenses either, it is not their problem that you have relocated yourself 100 miles away. It is not unreasonable to be asked to come back to the office or environs for a meeting.

What outcome do you want from this process? Do you want to be supported back into the workplace or are you looking for a way out. I am a bit puzzled about your living circumstances too, do you intend moving back to your own place or have you moved back in with family and planning to work remotely when you return.

This tbh.