Doctors appointments

moneypuddle

My manager has asked me not to take any holiday between October 2010 and feb 2011. However I am currently seeing my doctor for a course of treatment that requires me to have an appointment for 10 mins every 6 weeks. I have an appointment tmrw morning at 850am. This is the earliest I could make an appointment and I did make it 6 weeks ago. I travel approx 40 mins to work so would expect to be in the office around 945/10am assuming I'm seen on time. I have cleared this appointment with my manager but she was very off with me about it and asked what it was for. I didn't tell her. I didn't think I had to but she seemed very put out when I said it was personal and I'd rather not discuss it. It's actually a skin treatment I'm undergoing which I don't want to mention to her as I don't want any attention drawn to it. I've had two appointments already and expect at least another 2 or 3 at six week intervals.

Am I within my rights to keep my reasons for going to the doctor to myself?

Googlewhacker

yes you are within your rights to keep it personal but the manager is also within their rights to refuse holiday or the time of for appointments (however they would be very silly IMO to do this).

As long as they allow you the time of within the year they can dictate when holiday days are taken.

moneypuddle

Thanks for you reply. The reason I'm not to take holidays is because on top of my own job I am covering for my colleague who is on maternity for no extra money so as far as im concerned I'm doing them a massive favour already, working very long hours and feel really annoyed they can be petty about my appointments. My hol runs jan to dec and I have 16 days left to take this year.

paddedjohn

If you have holidays left owing to you this year, the company cant stop you taking them. Is your office closed over christmas for the 16 days you are due? You can not be forced to carry over this years entitlement till next year

jazzyman01

Please check your contract. Many companies have a policy of use it or lose it in regard to holiday entitlement. If they are expecting you not to take holiday I would have it in writing that you are able to carry it over to next year (or if you agree - payment in lieu).

You may be refused time off if you do not advise your manager of the reason. However, if you have an HR dept they could be advised in confidence and then confirm back to your line manager that this is okay. You might also want to mention you are covering for a colleague on maternity leave for no extra money.

I agree with you that if you are supporting the Company it does appear a little petty of the manager to be clock watching you to this degree.

pimento

If it's a doctor's appointment, you may be able to ask the doctor to give you a certificate so that it is certified sick leave.

A doctor or hospital appointment can always be taken as certified sick leave in my place.

clairec79

You said you said it was a personal appointment, would your employer have reacted better if you'd said a doctors appointment and just not given the reason for seeing the doctor? (personal appointment may be solicitors, dentist, new job interview etc)

moneypuddle

Hi thanks for replying. She knows it's a doctors appointment. I told her the reason for my appointment was personal.

In regards to my holiday - yes I will be paid for it. Spread over dec, Jen and feb

thanks

anamenottaken

pimento wrote: »

If it's a doctor's appointment, you may be able to ask the doctor to give you a certificate so that it is certified sick leave.

A doctor or hospital appointment can always be taken as certified sick leave in my place.

But it's not sick leave, is it?
The OP was asking about arriving late for work because of attending an appointment with the GP, they won't get a sick note for a couple of hours off work, especially when they are actually fit for work.

dmg24

anamenottaken wrote: »

But it's not sick leave, is it?
The OP was asking about arriving late for work because of attending an appointment with the GP, they won't get a sick note for a couple of hours off work, especially when they are actually fit for work.

I agree - I have never seen a sick note with Period of absence: One hour!

Uncertain

moneypuddle wrote: »

In regards to my holiday - yes I will be paid for it. Spread over dec, Jen and feb

I don't quite understand....

Are you saying you have holiday owed but they won't let you take it and are intending to pay you for it instead?

If so, this is illegal (as far as statutory holiday - ie 28 days per year is concerned)!

If you get more holiday per year than the statutory minimum then they can opt to do this for the ADDITIONAL holiday only.