I have asked my boss twice for time off to go to the doctors?

Question

I have tryed twice to get time off to see my doctor as i have a under reactive thyroid and i have to have reguler check up's.
My boss has refused me three times now this last time by text and will not answer the phone when i try to ring to challenge her about it. Am i within my rights to just go to see my doctors if i leave a letter on my bosses desk telling her i am going with or with out her permision. If i do not take my medication i may collaps and where do i stand if this happens at work.?

Answer 1

ha, some ppl on here make me laugh, "make appointments outside of work hours" do they realise that half the friggin country try to do that and its near impossible.



for example my local docs open at 8.30am and shut at 5.30pm, now I work 9-5 so if I saw a doc at 8.30am which is unlikely as 1st appointment prob isnt till at least 8.45, I would be late for work by at least 30 mins. like wise if I had an appointment after 5pm, I would miss it as I have to travel 20 mins to get there. therefore I would have to leave early.



either way it would mean taking time of from work. at least if I did take time of, I have the opportunity to make it up over a day or 2.



my conclusion is that work should allow time off and its up to you to make the time up as required.

Answer 2

Unfortunately several posters above are wrong. It is not against the law for a boss to refuse to allow you time off to go to the doctors. Many employers do allow time off for regular doctors appointments, other say that if you have to have regular checks you must organise these to fall outside company time. Most will compromise and allow you time to go, but unpaid, or to be made up by you at another time. If you are expecting to go to the doctors and be paid for the time you're away, in most cases you will have no grievance if the boss were to sack you for going without their permission. In the UK, evene major public employers like Universities etc do NOT allow paid time off to go to the doctors and expect all apointments (inc dentists, opticians etc etc) to be made outside working hours. If you collapse at work as a result of not taking your medication, you would have no reprisal either since thyroid medication is self-medication and you would ahve to demonstrate that it was solely and totally due to your employers actions that you had not taken the meds. Which would be impossible to do.

Answer 3

Is this a private doctor? I ask because the NHS normally would not allow you to see the doctor unless you've made an appointment.



If for whatever strange reason you cannot make an appointment then the best thing to do is to inform your employer that you will be going to the doctor on ______ day. Go to the doctor and after you've been seen, get a certificate stating that you were seen on _____ day at ______time. You then make a copy for your records and then leave one for your line manager.

That should you cover you for all instances.

Answer 4

ffs, well it would help if you mention what country you live in, in the UK most employers let you have 2 hours leave to go to the doctors. If it takes longer then they do not have to pay you.



Under the 1998 working time regulations you are entitled to go to the doctors for a medical appointment, get a letter or appointment card from the surgery to confirm to your boss.



Have a look at acas website, it seems that your boss is little un-sympathetic.

Answer 5

I believe that employees can be expected to make doctors' appointments outside of company time, where possible.



There are other options though- you will need to speak to your boss about this. You can request unpaid leave, annual leave or to make up missed time on another day.



Have a look at your contract and company information literature. The company's individual policy should be in there.

Answer 6

Of course you can go to the doctor's on work time. Just don't abuse the situation! My work has a policy of asking, if at all possible, for you to either go first thing in the morning, or last thing at night, so that you don't waste too much time out of the office. That works well, and I appreciate that, especially as my doctor is about 30 miles from where I work!

Talk to your HR department - they'll be able to fill you in on all the details about this.

Answer 7

I found this for you:



"Time off to visit the doctor or dentist

Your employer may allow you time off work to visit the doctor or dentist but they are not legally required to do so unless your contract of employment says they are. Your employer can, for example, insist that you make these visits outside work hours, that you take holiday leave or that you make the time up later on. You should check your contract of employment to see what rights you have to take time off for doctors or dental appointments. "



If it was me I'd check my contract, and if that's no help, offer to make up the time on a different day.

Answer 8

You should try and make all appointments outside of working hours, but if you do "funny" hours, you are entitled to see your doctor. Maybe she doesn't realise the implications of your illness.

Personally I would make an appt, then write to her stating that as she has refused to let you have time off for an appt on X amount of occasions, you have now gotten to the point that you are becoming more ill, and HAVE to see the doctor... state what your illness is and how it affects you if you dont have the regular check ups etc. Tell her your date and time of your appt, then say you will come straight into work after (if applicable). I would then send the letter to her, with a copy to her boss, personnel and of course a copy for yourself.

Answer 9

Your boss can not stop you going to your doctors ,



Yes he or she does not have to pay you , but thats down to them



As for stopping you going , they can get into a lot of trouble , go to your doctor , and expain what is going on , he or she will write a letter to your company / boss and that will be the end of the matter

Answer 10

1

Answer 11

Your boss it being VERY unreasonable! You could go to the doctor anyway, and give you boss notice of the appointment in writing, but he could sack you. However you would probably win at an unfair dismissal tribunal but it's a lot of fuss to go through. I would look for a new job!

Answer 12

Sure you can, if you want to get fired. Your boss doesn't have to let you off for anything. Go see your doctor after or before work. You should still take your meds, you don't need a doc to do that, just have him call in the refills.

Answer 13

Book a doctor's appointment and then the afternoon before say to your boss 'I'm going to be late tommorow as I have a doctor's appointment'. If your boss says anything say that you will NOT change it, and if he/she trys to dock you pay, take him to court.



Employers have LEGALLY got to let you seek medical attention.

Answer 14

it is against the law for them to do this go higher up above her and show documentation to her supervisor ,,document everything date time etc for future reference ,if you get no satisfaction from her boss go to the labor relations board and the attorney general and ask how to proceed ,this can all be done today ,you dont have to wait any longer ,,make the appointment and fax it to your boss so you can show proof of this as well.keep your copy and keep her responce as well.this way if you must go with out her permission and she does fire you you have documentation for unemployment and for your attorney to sue them. get more advice from labor relations though to get the best results..but for sure document and keep copies.ask for everything in writing....cover your butt!!!!!

Answer 15

Your boss sounds like a prick, just go and leave a note on his desk. He cant sack or discipline you for it if you have proof you went!

Answer 16

your boss sounds like someone not qualified to do it correctly.

He is wrong & dont ask... Tell Him.



Maybe also email him a link to this page.http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page19475.html

Answer 17

go to cab or go to your head office human relations