Stupid work!

[Happyred]

Ok, sorry cause this is probably going to be a long post, but I need a rant and would like to know if others think im being unreasonable. I had my 20 week scan yesterday morning which I told my work about weeks ago. I even changed my shift so that I was working a back shift (starting at half 1) so that I wouldnt need to take the full morning off work. So I went for my scan and there was a bit of a problem as lo wasnt very co operative and the sonographer suspected he/she may have a duplex kidney. I was told they wanted a senior sonographer to have a look, but sent out for half an hour or so to have a drink and walk about to try and get lo to move into a better position. By this time I knew I would probably be a bit late for work ( which again I had already warned them about) but I phoned them and explained the situation and said I would be in as soon as I could. So turns out that lo is absolutely fine (phew). On the second scan lo was in a better position and They could see the kidney clearer and it looks perfect. So I arrived at work 2 hours late, apologised and just got told by my boss that I have no business going for scans, etc on days when im working and that I need to arrange any future appointments on my days off as they dont have enough staff to allow me to go. She never even asked me if lo was ok!!!! Im absolutely raging! Thing is Im a nurse and work for the NHS and im sure it is their policy that im entitled to time off for appointments, etc, but I have really tried to schedule them for when im not working as we are short staffed. I just feel really unsupported by my boss and charge nurses that its really starting to piss me off! Sorry for mega long post and thanks if you have taken the time to read this. Please let me know if you think im in the wrong!

 

[mrs_bump]

I'm a nurse too and you are absolutely right, we are entitled to paid time off for scans, Drs/MW appts and antenatal/relaxation classes. My work ask for an appt letter to confirm the appt. Your boss is the one in the wrong! xx

 

[Karate Kid]

Hey Hun,

You are right to be annoyed, the below link details what we as pregnant women are entitled to....

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/moneyandworkentitlements/workandfamilies/dg_10026556

The fact is the scans are an integral part of pregnancy and are essitial to ensure that the LO is growing and developing properly.... as nice as it is for us to be able to see our babies the measurements are vital.

I would approach her about this situation and maybe print out a copy of the above. Hopefully she was just stressed and rushed off her feet.

Hope you get a resolution soon xx

 

[babyem]

Try not to dwell on it too much, at least you got to see a healthy bean x

 

[beckybean]

You are absolutely right to be annoyed and they have to give you the time off for appts.

Very pleased to hear that LO is all ok. Xx

 

[FirstBabyEek]

Grrrr unfair bosses make me so mad!!

As Karate Kid says - you are LEGALLY entitled to the time off and if she doesnt like it, she can get knotted plain and simple, she's completely wrong for telling you that and actually you could complain about her to HR for her stupid comments as they consitute a contractual breach of trust - something you can sue for if you were so minded. Tell her that you are prepared to overlook her incorrect comments on this occassion - see how she likes it.

Sorry, this kind of thing makes be really cross........And breathe...

On the plus side massive congrats on your health LO, that is what is important at the end of the day.
xx

 

[PopcornMouse]

As the other posters say, you are legally entitled to time off - BUT as a nurse it has to be safe for your to do so, i.e. there need to be enough other qualified nurses on shift. That said, it's not like they didn't have time to make sure this was the case, and they're clearly in the wrong!

 

[JoS]

Things like this make me so cross, I own a nursery and constantly have members of my staff who are pregnant. As an employer I legally have to allow paid time for scans, midwife appts etc, sometimes it does make my job hard to arrange cover, but its the legal requirement that I have to. I would never dream so saying any of those things to any of my staff team, I always try and be supportive and ensure I ask about how the baby is. Being pregnant I know how sometimes appts over run and how you can't choose when to see your midwife, it makes me so cross that some employers don't even try to understand this!
I'm always grateful when my staff swop shifts/try and arrange appts around work, but its not something I expect them to do.
Sorry for the rant! I'd tell your employer exactly what your rights are and that she should be grateful that you are trying to be so flexible!

 

[kra0]

You're def right to be annoyed! Maybe print off that info and hand it to your boss so they know for nxt time! Glad lo is ok tho xxxx

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

 

[Loula]

I know exactly how you feel, i also work for the NHS and when i had a midwife appointment early morning i said id be late and my boss turned around and said youll have to make the appointments on your days off or change your day off. I said that i was legally obliged to take these appointments and showed her the policy and turned around and said dont be soo smart.
Now ive taken to having my appointments on my days off or re arranging days off when i get the appointments.
So glad LO was ok xxx

 

[Happyred]

Thanks everyone! Glad im not being unreasonable, I will definitely be printing documents off and talking to my boss if she says anything again in the future. Main thing is lo is good and healthy and we remained team yellow!

 

[Cherry.Glitter]

The ladies above are spot on so I'm not going to repeat their words of wisdom
I would suggest finding yourself a union though. It's always nice to have some backup and could be useful to you if you anticipate that you are going to have problems with the arseholes who manage you. Good luck and glad LO is okay!

 

[Happyred]

Thanks cherry glitter, im with a union and will be contacting them if I have any further problems.