Time off for kidney donation?

JWIOW

I am looking to become a live donor for my brother to donate my kidney to him as he has had kidney failure.
I was wondering how this would stand with my work? What would I be entitled to?
Time off wise, I spoke to a director who seemed to believe it should be taken as sick / holiday and they would "help where they can".
I am just worried as I would like to donate, yet don't want to lose my job. Obviously the loss to income for whenever time it takes will also hit me pretty hard.
I am in full-time contracted employment.

DigForVictory

Have a timeline, of the time it'll take to do all the necessary pre-op appointments (and no you can't do those in your own time - the NHS isn't wired for it) as well as the surgery & recovery. If you can lay out exactly you're asking for, and you have a good track record for health, conduct, good work etc, then you've a very good chance of improved cooperation. Firing someone as they donated an organ is extreme, but for non-attendance is everyday.

Most businesses like to talk of the triple bottom line, of corporate reponsibility - if you can show (or estimate) Just How Much money you will be saving the NHS then they can pat themselves on the back that hard.

If you can face the Press, then put it to your boss that here is a potential source of stupendous publicity (that it is illegal to buy). Do take advice from the donation squad as to what they can help you with there, to curb your employer potentially wanting "smiling faces from the intensive care unit" photos.

I really hope you can do this & admire you!

jobbingmusician

Depends on what your contract says. If they are savvy, you won't be ENTITLED to anything (or possibly only to time off for recovery if things go wrong and you need some sick leave following the operation). However, the advice given above is good.

I do wish you the very best of luck - both with your/your brother's operation and with negotiating with your employer. The fact that you're not ENTITLED to much/anything doesn't mean I don't think you'll get anything - I would think most employers would give SOME sick leave, and would hope that your whole time off would be paid.

All the very best!

amersall

What a nice thing to do, hope all goes well for you and your Brother.

Undervalued

Sadly your "rights" from an employment law point of view are basically zero. So this really comes down to negotiation and a hope that the firm have an understanding attitude.

Obviously you could book holiday, in accordance with your firm's normal rules, and / or you could request unpaid leave although the firm is under no obligation to agree.

Sick leave would be very questionable. In the unfortunate event of any complications obviously a doctor would sign you off sick. This would entitle you to SSP but any company sick pay would be at the firm's discretion. If they are not understanding they could argue that you placed yourself at far greater risk of being sick than would otherwise be the case and that the reasons are not their problem.

Sorry if this sounds harsh but I'm just trying to point out the problems you could face if the firm decide to take a hard line. Hopefully they won't and indeed they may be very supportive.

slimfandango

Someone who works with me donated and it was classed as sick leave. Might just be that place though.

FBaby

Why wouldn't be sick leave? Maybe not the first day up to surgery, but surely OP is unlikely to be in a fit position to go to work after it? Doesn't that make him ill and untitled to sick leave?

I do wish you a speedy recovery OP, but can't see how you could be expected to be well enough to go back to work the day after surgery!

System

FBaby wrote: »

Why wouldn't be sick leave?

Looking at it from the employer's viewpoint and ignoring the altruistic side.

The OP has decided to go through a medical procedure that was not recommended nor required for his health. This then falls into the same area as cosmetic surgery for vanity e.g. breast enlargement and as such quite a few employers expect the person to use their leave entitlement first followed by unpaid leave

ETA

A quick scan of the various kidney donation charities etc seem to bear this line out but there is a possibility of claiming some money back from the health organisation

barbarawright

Nothing really to add but I hope it goes well for you. Coincidentally a friend mentioned today that it is the 20th anniversary of him donating a kidney to his dad and they are both alive and well. So it's a great thing for you to do and I'm sure your brother will live a long and happy life as a result

Undervalued

FBaby wrote: »

Why wouldn't be sick leave?

Because, to put it bluntly, the OP would be choosing to be sick!

As I said earlier, the employer may choose to take a very understanding line given the circumstances. However doing so would represent a real cost to them so it would, in effect, be an act of charity to an employee's relative.

Alternatively they could take a very firm line and take disciplinary action over any a resulting absence that is not covered by pre agreed annual leave.

The OP needs to reach an agreement with their employer or accept that their could be consequences.

theoretica

This article is quite definite that you would be entitled to statutory sick pay while recovering from the operation. If you normally get better sick pay than this it would depend on your contract whether it is guaranteed or at your employer's discretion. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/workplace-practicalities-of-cosmetic-and-elective-surgery/402394.article