Should you have to give your employer proof of antenatal appointments?

Darksparkle · 4 March 2016 at 10:57AM

NotBothered wrote: »

So you DID pay the time back by regularly working more than required! That's my point. And I have no idea what happened to the rest of my post???? It's been shortened?

Its those that deliberately defraud the company/colleagues of time that upset me! From my point of view, its about give and take from both sides.

Well not this week because I'm struggling a bit now to do a full week but yeah if you're looking at the overall picture, the time would have been made up in other ways.

I used to work somewhere that was like that, thankfully I work with grown ups now haha!

lulu_92 · 4 March 2016 at 11:11AM

Darksparkle wrote: »

No there was no requirement to pay time back. I notified my boss of the appointment as required and advised to come in once finished which I did. If I stayed in the house I'd have done housework or a washing or something. That's still personal.

I most certainly do no take the mick. I regularly work more than required and take most other medical appointments in my own time but I have no control over dates and times of my pregnancy related appointments. Annoyingly most are in the middle of the day and requires an hour and a half travel each way.

In fact I only found out I was pregnant at 30 weeks so I don't actually need to take as much time off for appointments than if I'd known early.

Since I found out at 4 weeks I have had 10 appointments/scans. My three midwife appointments I went in afterwards, and for everything else I used my holidays for as I live an hour from my work and I've been very vocal with work (and they agree with me) that it's not worth coming in two hours before I am due to finish. There's never an expectation to make up the time as I come in half an hour early every day, so that's 2.5 hours extra every week.

PeacefulWaters · 4 March 2016 at 11:18AM

Back in the days when I managed people I took them at their word.

I don't think anybody exploited it, but if I'd been suspicious I'd have casually requested confirmation of appointment.

If they'd been due in at work at 9am and needed to leave at 9.30am I encouraged them not to attend work before the appointment.

The goodwill generated by such an approach more than helped me over the years when I needed favours in return with overtime, swapping shifts, covering illness etc.

euronorris · 4 March 2016 at 11:27AM

kathrynha wrote: »

Things might of changed since I was pregnant (daughter is 10 next week), but I had letters for scans, but not for my midwife appointments. The first midwife appointment you made with the doctors receptionist, so you could get a hand written appointment card, but all the rest were made directly with the midwife, and just written in mine and her diaries.
Did have in my notes that the appointments were every 2 weeks till near the end, which I could of shown work, which would of proved to them the amount of appointments but not the times.

It seems to vary from area to area.

I'm having a similar experience to you in that I had letters re scan appointments, but never had one for midwife appointments. My antenatal class was booked over the phone with no confirmation in writing whatsoever (but it's in the evening, so not a problem).

I do think that proof should have to be provided to prevent abuse of the system, but, it does mean that the NHS would have to change their procedures in a lot of cases (as evidenced by many of the responses here) which would be costly and time consuming for them.

So, perhaps the current government line is correct. That they can be requested by employer, but it is not necessary to provide them at outset as a matter of course.

Luckily my pregnancy is low risk, and so my appointments have been few. I try to arrange them at times that cause the least amount of time away from the office, and since the office moved my GP surgery is only a 10 minute walk away which means even less disruption work wise.......IF midwife is running on time. Unfortunately, she is often running late. Yesterday I checked in for my apt and the screen advised of a 34 minute delay (so I text boss to give her the heads up). It actually turned out to be an hour.

I think good communication is often the best way.

Darksparkle · 4 March 2016 at 11:45AM

lulu_92 wrote: »

Since I found out at 4 weeks I have had 10 appointments/scans. My three midwife appointments I went in afterwards, and for everything else I used my holidays for as I live an hour from my work and I've been very vocal with work (and they agree with me) that it's not worth coming in two hours before I am due to finish. There's never an expectation to make up the time as I come in half an hour early every day, so that's 2.5 hours extra every week.

I've had 5 so far but one was the initial GP appt and another for vaccinations. I think I have another 6 but depends on when baby actually comes because im having scans every 2 weeks to keep an eye on size. As I was so late finding out I can't get a clear due date.

gayleygoo · 4 March 2016 at 11:48AM

When I was working during pregnancy, I never had to show any proof that I had an appointment. Or that I had a doctor's appointment when I wasn't pregnant either.

As a previous poster said, you may not get letters for midwife appointments of antenatal classes etc. The time and date would have been in my notes, but you can't expect anyone to show their boss their medical files.

OH had some sort of hospital insurance cover for us, which meant I could claim money for all of my appointments, however I couldn't get the required proof of a lot of them (in the timescale they required) so missed out. It seemed like I would be hassling the busy midwives if I asked them to write a letter every time, it's not fair to expect them to do it just so bosses have some sort of proof.

Tigsteroonie · 4 March 2016 at 11:55AM

I voted "Depends" because I read the thread title of the question regarding antenatal appointments, not additional antenatal classes.

I don't expect to be provided with evidence of 12wk & 20wk scan appointments, the booking-in appointment or regular midwife checks. If the individual has told me that they are pregnant (and it'll become obvious if that was a lie!) then I believe them.

However I do ask for evidence of appointments/classes outside of the standard number for an uncomplicated pregnancy.

I have respect for my team members and I treat them like professional adults. In return, they appreciate this and don't take the mick.

jaydeeuk1 · 4 March 2016 at 3:18PM

I don't ask for proof, if I didn't trust my staff, I wouldn't employ them, simple as. If staff need time off or need to leave early, then I let them, none of them take the p*ss and everyone is happier.

PenguinOfDeath · 4 March 2016 at 3:35PM

You should show if asked, it's a shame some bosses are too 'scared' to do this however in fear of offending anyone. Trust is brilliant but when someone dies take the !!!! to the nth degree it's can cause resentment amongst the team.

sweetilemon · 4 March 2016 at 3:47PM

Yes. Every appointment I requested time off for I filled out the form and attached the appropriate correspondence such as a copy of the scan /consultant letter or antenatal class recommendation. I wasn't given anything for the midwife appointments but I still filled a form out and signed it for work - would have been happy to request proof if asked. It's really sad if people are taking advantage. Even although I was 'entitaled' to time off I did feel guilty and organised appointments out with working time or to suit the business where possible. Also travelled yo a further away antenatal class to fit around my work schedule. Having said that I'm someone who never takes sick days unless absolutely necessary, just not in my nature to abuse the system there to help those in need. I'd feel too guilty and would want to know I had sick days when needed. Ok going off subject now I'll stop.