In the UK, what obligations do employers have regarding allowing time off to attend medical appointments?

Question

Without having anything agreed in a written or verbal contract, what rights do employees have to take reasonable time off to attend short appointments at the doctors, hospital etc? Can the employer demand that appointments are arranged/re-arranged at a time agreeable with themselves, and can they deduct pay for time absent?

Answer 1

My employer demands that appointments for doctors or dentists are in our own time - we do not get paid for these or for any appointments for dependants.

We are encouraged to book time off for these by taking leave or time off in lieu.

Hospital appointments are different because you cannot control when these are booked so these are at the discretion of your line manager who can decide if you will be paid or not.

I think that no company, legally, has to allow paid time off for any appointments except when they are for anti natal appointments/ clinics.

Answer 2

Employees don't have rights to take time off for medical, dental appointments, unless you are a new and expectant mother, and even then its down to the discretion of the employer if you are paid for that time off.

Most employers will be open to negotiate time off but will normally expect that time to be paid back by either working through lunch breaks or staying later, or deducting pay. If you have a letter for a hospital visit it still needs to be negotiated with your employer.

Answer 3

I think they have to allow time off, but I don't think they have an obligation to pay you for it.

Everybodies contracts are different, ask around at work and see what has happened to other people.

Eg My dentist is only open 9-5:30 and closed at weekends, so i have to go during working hours, my boss is cool about it though so it never bothers me.

Answer 4

they can deduct pay for the time off.

as for the other question you used the word demand did they ask you if it was possible? do they allow other employees time for visiting doctors etc?

if they allow others to attend appointments you could being discriminated against ask other employees if the employer has a history of sexual discrimination or racial discrimination that you may be able to use as leverage to get this time off.

in other words your employer must treat all employees fairly regardless to gender race religion and weather you work full/part time.

other points to consider:

does the business have a busy forecast ahead?

how important is the appointment?

will not attending affect your ability to work in the future?

are you their 'best worker'? (sometimes the elite/experienced people in the workplace find it hard to get time off for certain things)

is there anyone you can make a shift swap with?