Medical Appointments

emdoug

Just looking for some advice,
I've recently found out I'm pregnant its still early days so don't really want to tell my employer yet,
I've only worked here 2 months. I've got an appointment with the midwife today. I emailed my boss on Monday morning about the appointment as I was only given it Friday and I was off work on A/L.
Yesterday he emailed back stating it was fine to attend the appointment but also added "Remember the employee handbook though".

this has worried me as it states that breach of the policy could lead to disciplinary action ect. So should I tell my boss as I can imagine I'm going to need to attend quite a few appointments? If i don't tell them can they actually use disciplinary action against me for attending appointments?

Comms69

Yes ofcourse. If they don't know they cant implement maternity policy can they??

emdoug

Comms69 wrote: »

Yes ofcourse. If they don't know they cant implement maternity policy can they??

Okay I probably should of been clearer I'm only around 5/6 weeks obviously I would need to tell them but i wanted to wait until I was 11/12 weeks first. But I'm worried about disciplinary action for attending appointments until I'm ready to tell them.

Comms69

emdoug wrote: »

Okay I probably should of been clearer I'm only around 5/6 weeks obviously I would need to tell them but i wanted to wait until I was 11/12 weeks first. But I'm worried about disciplinary action for attending appointments until I'm ready to tell them.

Well your first scan isn't until 12 weeks, so what other appointments do you expect to have ?


The fact is if you don't tell them, they don't know. So have to follow standard policy - which I assume is: book A/L for appointments

emdoug

Well I had a doctors appointment on Friday (Already had the time off) and I've got a midwife appointment today but I have no idea if I will need any other appointments before scan as I've not been pregnant before. All I want to know is can they fire me for attending appointments.

kathrynha

Ask your midwife at today's appointment about what other appointments you can expect, then you know whether you are going to need to tell your employer yet.

Undervalued

emdoug wrote: »

Well I had a doctors appointment on Friday (Already had the time off) and I've got a midwife appointment today but I have no idea if I will need any other appointments before scan as I've not been pregnant before. All I want to know is can they fire me for attending appointments.

Well leaving aside the pregnancy (or other unlawful discrimination) they can fire you for any reason, or no reason at all, during your first two years just by giving you contractual notice.

Pregnancy gives you a fair bit of protection but only if you tell them!

Placitasgirl

Surely it's in your best interests to inform the relevant person (HR Officer/Director) in confidence about your pregnancy?

Not only does this give you protection as an employee, but would explain why you might be a little off colour or tired at this time? Early days of pregnancy can be a challenge and surely not having to worry about things like getting fired for attending appointments is something you could do without? Do stress that you're informing the business in confidence and do not want this personal information shared until you're ready to do so yourself.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

seashore22

For a normal pregnancy I wouldn't expect there to be enough appointments to worry about before 12 weeks. I'm fairly sure that a scan at 12 weeks is the first appointment that most women have. Numerous appointments before that stage would be pointless.

Personally I would have your scan and, all being well, tell your employer then.

I told my employers very quickly about my own pregnancy on the basis that if all went well they needed to know and if something went wrong then they may also need to know. People can't support you if they are unaware.

bouicca21

So what does the employee handbook actually say?

emdoug

bouicca21 wrote: »

So what does the employee handbook actually say?

16. POLICY ON TIME OFF WORK FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL APPOINTMENTS

This policy contains information on your entitlements in relation to unpaid time off work to attend medical and dental appointments.

Your responsibilities

Where possible you are requested to arrange any medical or dental appointments outside working hours. If this is not possible you must obtain permission from the Director before taking any time off and appointments should be arranged at the beginning or end of your working day to minimise any disruption to the Firm.

Breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action. Any periods of absence that are unauthorised may be treated as gross misconduct and could lead to your dismissal without notice from the Firm. Unauthorised absence will not be subject to pay.

Your entitlements

Unless otherwise agreed, you will not be paid for any time off as a result of medical or dental appointments, with the exception of antenatal appointments.

Procedure

You should notify the Director immediately as soon as possible, giving full details of the date and time of the appointment.