This morning Noi asked her (fairly new) manager for some time off on Friday for a doctor's appointment. Having been with the same employer for five years this is obviously not the first time she has done so.

However this time, although he granted her the time off, she was told that 'usually' employees should arrange such appointments so they don't clash with shifts and if this is not possible then she should find someone to cover for her before making the appointment!

Surely her manager has no right to say this to her and her employer (Primark) has no right to insist upon it?

As anyone who has ever tried to get a doctor's appointment will know, you take the time they give you.

It is likely that she will require further appointments in the near future. Any advice on what we can do if next time her manager insists on applying this 'rule?'

Nick,

A friend of mine once had a similar problem. So instead of asking for a few hours off for a medical appointment, she would call in sick and take three days off. It didnt take long for her employers to realise that it was better to allow her time off in the first place.

Of course this is only a sensible option if your wife gets paid sick pay.

Noi will have a contract of employment. Perhaps she should read it?

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she was told that 'usually' employees should arrange such appointments so they don't clash with shifts and if this is not possible then she should find someone to cover for her before making the appointment!

Surely her manager has no right to say this to her and her employer (Primark) has no right to insist upon it?

OK I'm going to set my self up to be shot here!!!

I work for another reputable firm (John lewis) and as a manager I'm afraid that I would take the same stance as the person above. I agree that is not alway possible, and my employer policy is use common sense. If the appiontment is not an emergency then I'm sure that the appointment can be arranged for when Noi not working.

I think though that if the appiontments are for a ongoing treatment. Example: A member of staff required treatment after having a stroke, then legally the employer has to allow time for this.


But if Noi is rarely sick then just throw a sickie...


the claw

Roly, yes Noi does have a contract, which I must admit we have not looked at since she signed it over 5 years ago. During that time she has asked for, and received, time off for doctors, dentists, hospitals etc without any problem at all. This is the first time this need to arrange it when she is off shift has been mentioned.

I don't know how often you make an appointment with an NHS GP, but with ours it is impossible to make an appointment for a specific time of day, you take what you are given and they wont make appointments more than a week in advance.

From the responses received, it seems that her boss is perfectly within his rights to do this. So I guess next time, as advised, she just throws a sickie.

Nick,

I used to be an employer up to 3 months ago. Under the UK (NI)law I was expected to acommodate employees requests for Doctors and Dentists appointments, irrespective of date and time. It was my responsibility, as Manager, to arrange cover for the staff while they were out.

Had I been ackward then my staff would've taken sick days to attend their appointments, making my job more difficult.

In extreme cases staff could call work on the same day and say they've had to arrange an emergency appointment without prior arrangement with any Manager. My company had to acommodate this, until of course the staff would rip the backside out of it. My staff were expected to produce appointment cards to cover for arranged and emergency un-arranged appointments.

As far as your wifes Employemt Contract, or "Terms and Conditions of Employment" as it is more commonly known these days, is concerned, she could ask her employer to update it in line with todays employment laws. A lot has changed about employment law in 5 years, and most of it in favour of the employee. A lot of employees are not aware of what they can and can't do. Remember that if she had a letter of offer of employment, when she accepted the job, that this also forms part of her Terms & Conditions. This would need reviewed as well, depending on its contents.

All employees of any UK business are entitled to a Terms & Conditions of Employment and an Employee Handbook.

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I don't know how often you make an appointment with an NHS GP, but with ours it is impossible to make an appointment for a specific time of day, you take what you are given and they wont make appointments more than a week in advance.

Nick, you need to move north, I can get a same day appointment at my GP no problem and usually get the time I want.

If I'm lucky enough to get a same day appointment it'll mean work being messed about most times. If I have to book an appointment I've normally recovered from the illness by the time it's come around. At the end of the day your health is more important than works desire to see you clocking on. If work can't/wont accomodate a perfectley reasonable request & you know this in advance then go sick. Somethings got to give...why let it be your health?

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I can get a same day appointment at my GP no problem

You mean they don't come to see you

BigRed

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You mean they don't come to see you

Actually they did (practically). Most of the stars of Peak Practice used to drink in Mark's local. On one occasion one of them left later than me!