Hospital Appointments and Sick Leave

thescouselander

My girlfriend had to go to a hospital appointment last week and she was told by her boss the day had to be taken as annual leave. I think this is a bit unfair, shouldn't this sort of thing be classed as a sick day? She has to go back at least once more and this is going to eat into her leave entitlement.

Also, other people in her office have been given a sick day when they have gone for medical appointments. It sounds like my GF has been singled out for special treatment.


Does anyone know the rules on this?

blue_haddock

Companies do not have to give time off for medical appointments so yes they can make her take the time off as annual leave. I suggest she takes things up with HR if others get the time off and she doesn't.

LittleVoice

Agreed.

And are the situations comparable?

Is the hospital appointment for purely elective surgery or is she actually ill?

Do the others record this as a sick day (do they take the whole day off?) or do they make the time up at a different time?

Could she make the time up - for example an extra hour and a bit each day for a week

thescouselander

The hospital visit was relating to an eye problem that has to be looked at by an eye specialist - it certainly want for "elective surgery".

By comparison others have had the odd day off because they were pregnant and had gone to check-ups etc. Also, someone else gets time off to take part in an experimental drugs trial for chronic condition they have.

ohreally

thescouselander wrote: »

By comparison others have had the odd day off because they were pregnant and had gone to check-ups etc.

The employer has a duty imposed on them in law to permit this.

thescouselander wrote: »

Also, someone else gets time off to take part in an experimental drugs trial for chronic condition they have.

This may be a DDA/ reasonable adjustment issue. Even if it's not, they are assisting the employee to be proactive in treating a chronic medical condition.

98jdougl

not sure about the chronic condition but as far as I am aware pregnancy days off have different rules to be followed.
Does your OH know that the others were given it as sick leave rather than annual leave or is it just an assumption?

thescouselander

98jdougl wrote: »

not sure about the chronic condition but as far as I am aware pregnancy days off have different rules to be followed.
Does your OH know that the others were given it as sick leave rather than annual leave or is it just an assumption?

i'm pretty sure it was confirmed the others had sick leave. To be honest I think they are being a bit off about the situation. My OH is hardly ever off sick so I can't see why a couple of hospital visits are a problem.

98jdougl

it does seem a bit unfair and if she is rarely sick then it can't be that she has used a lot of her leave etc