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

Jagraf

I say yes, but I would want them to know anyway as an employee as I take my responsibilities seriously and no one should be expected to be paid for doing nothing. I don't get how some staff feel they can take a freebie! Who pays for that?

heuchera

NotBothered wrote: »

Of course. One pregnant lady who works in my office went off for a "scan" and came back with a new hairstyle!!!! Takes the absolute @@$£.

And they wonder why employers are reluctant to take on women of childbearing age.. :wall:

heuchera

Jagraf wrote: »

I say yes, but I would want them to know anyway as an employee as I take my responsibilities seriously and no one should be expected to be paid for doing nothing. I don't get how some staff feel they can take a freebie! Who pays for that?

I was working with someone in an office (we were both temps) and as soon as she announced she was pregnant the first thing she did was ring the agency and ask how much time off she'd be getting!

poppy_f1

my work used to work on a honour system when it came to things like doctor, dentist/antenatal apps for years until someone really took the mick, they would claim they had a midwife app when it was inconvienent ie friday afternoon
soon was clamped down on once the big boss clocked them in the haridressers when they should have been at the doctors

Jagraf

poppy_f1 wrote: »

my work used to work on a honour system when it came to things like doctor, dentist/antenatal apps for years until someone really took the mick, they would claim they had a midwife app when it was inconvienent ie friday afternoon
soon was clamped down on once the big boss clocked them in the haridressers when they should have been at the doctors

That's awful. I don't think people understand that its theft.

Jagraf

sweetilemon wrote: »

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.

I agree with this.

peachyprice

Surely it's common courtesy to offer the proof? If your employer feels they trust you and doesn't need to see it, fine, that's their choice, but the proof should always be available if the do want to see it.

Lunar_Eclipse

Absolutely not.

Unless proof was required for ALL health related appointments and any absence from work.

Otherwise it's gender based discrimination, since men would never require antenatal appointments. And what about a person's right to privacy? A boss knowing you'd had a miscarriage when you hadn't told your friends or family for instance?

I didn't inform my boss/employer until after my 21 week scan on both occasions. I didn't want any discussion or speculation etc about me and my work until absolutely necessary.

EDIT: I only ever had two scans/pregnancy and the usual 4-6 weekly two minute check ups during my pregnancy, before leaving on maternity leave, which I scheduled first thing (8am) so impact on work was minimal. If lots of time off was required, I can see the need to divulge to an employer. But they don't have a right to know anything health related unless it impacts your productivity.

rpc

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Unless proof was required for ALL health related appointments and any absence from work.

It usually is (or must be provided upon request) unless it is covered by self certification.

Are you saying that your employer allows you to simply disappear indefinitely without notice or justification?

Otherwise it's gender based discrimination, since men would never require antenatal appointments.

That's BS misandry. If men take time off work, they can be asked to provide self certification or fit notes. SSP cannot be claimed without evidence and any employer I have ever worked for has had other paid leave (parental, sick, jury service, 'special') with a requirement that local management can request evidence. Evidence is (or may be) required for other types of statutory leave so why should antenatal appointments be given special status just because they are only required for women?

Why should pregnant women be exempt and allowed to claim as much time off as they want without any requirement to justify it?

My wife essentially required one afternoon off every fortnight for her antenatal appointments. That's a lot of time off for an employer to pay/cover and it seems only fair that the employer should be able to have evidence of entitlement to that time off.

pigpen

I'm supposed to have monthly antenatals, monthly bloods.. done a different time and place and monthly scans in addition to the 12 and 20 week ones. PLUS 4-6 weekly physio and monthly consultant appointments... an employer would LOATHE me!! around 28 appointments as well as my usual hospital dentist visits .. I would absolutely not be offended if I was asked to provide proof of the appointments, I'd think it was more than reasonable.