Time off for partner's medical appointments?

[HettyMeg]

I manage someone who is asking for time off to accompany their partner to medical appointments - not antenatal. Has anyone any experience of this? Our company doesn't have any policy relating to time off for medical appointments. I have always managed my own by working around it - ie making up the time later - as have colleagues. Bit worried this could become an issue if they start asking for more time and it's not even their own appointment.

If they don’t tell you the reason, I’d expected them to use annual leave, flexi or toil.

Well that’s the first thing then. Other than the limited right to accompany partners to ante natal appointments, there’s no right for someone to take time off for a partners medical appointment so unless they can provide you with more information so you can decide if it’s reasonable on compassionate grounds, it’s a no. They can request leave or if possible take a late/early lunch.

Jesus why don’t managers actually manage

I have time off for taking DH to chemo but I am making the time up and work extra hours every week anyway.
I’ve also got to take time off for his eye appointment next week because he won’t be able to drive himself back.

My manager is very relaxed and won’t check up on me.

Not necessarily, my Mum (inexplicably) accompanies my Stepdad to all his run of the mill diabetes check ups, although she works flexi time anyway so uses that.

I left work with their emphatic blessing when DH had called an ambulance for serious chest pain but I didn’t go with him for the follow up investigative appointments.

Patients are often advised to take someone with them because the shock of a diagnosis can mean they forget the things they wanted to ask or can't articulate their concerns and queries.

I think it depends on the type of appointment and if it's a one-off or is it likely to be several over a period of time. If the person is attending a routine GP appointment, that's vastly different to be potentially receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Most people if they're accompanying someone to a medical appointment, will take the time as annual leave, make the time up or take it unpaid.

However, I think there does need to be some compassion, if that person is taking time off because an immediate family member is extremely unwell and receiving treatment or is in hospital in dire straits.

You need more information, if that person is expecting to be paid for taking the time off.

While I'm (grudgingly) allowed time off for secondary care appointments I use annual leave for my primary care appointments and to take my disabled partner with many issues including limited mobility to appointments.

How lovely for those upthread who are of the opinion that all grown adults can get to appointments under their own steam. I hope their lives never change in an instant in a car accident and they continue to have this lovely rosy worldview.

I’m really sorry it’s so challenging. I don’t think there’s any guarantee in life - I have a lot of appointments myself as does my daughter. But I don’t think it’s necessarily something my work should always be able to cover for something chronic either. Fair enough for emergencies, but my daughter has several appointments a month and I use annual leave for them as they’re booked ahead.

I would say that this is what annual leave is for, or the staff member can make up the time if that works for you. I would suggest that if there is any carer issue, or further extenuating circumstances, they are welcome to provide you with some more information which you will consider.