Time off for Medical Appointments

Gael23

Another beginner question!
How does it work in employment when you need to attend a medical appointment? Its straightforward if your sick, you just get a doctors cert but I have some medical issues which mean I attend a Doctor every x number of months weather I'm sick or not. I could possibly try to get appointments early in the morning or late in the evening but if this isn't possible would I need to take holidays?

The_Conductor

Depends on sick leave policies to be honest.
You need to ask.
If you were in the public sector and an appointment fell on either a Friday afternoon or a Monday morning- the Saturday and Sunday would count as sick leave too- regardless of whether you work them or not.

You really need to ask- it differs markedly from one company to another, from one sector to another........

MouseTail

There is no statutory entitlement to time off for medical appointments (except for ante natal care). As said above, you need to ask, some places will grant you time off as a matter of goodwill (Id imagine this is rare), some will allow you work back the time, some will insist on you taking annual leave.

NZ_2014

MouseTail wrote: »

some will insist on you taking annual leave.

Sounds like a great manager/company to work for

Gael23

MouseTail wrote: »

There is no statutory entitlement to time off for medical appointments (except for ante natal care). As said above, you need to ask, some places will grant you time off as a matter of goodwill (Id imagine this is rare), some will allow you work back the time, some will insist on you taking annual leave.

Well I would disclose my medical condition so its going to come up. Most times I imagine it would only be an hour or so out of the day. Just go there, see the Dr and get back again.
I do sometimes have to go to consultants and if I had to travel then I would need a full day off. I actually have one at the end of this month so if I get a job between now and then thats going to be hard to explain.

Gael23

One more point on this.

If I was to need a day off to attend a medical appointment, how soon after starting a Job would it be reasonable to do that?
I'll hear today about a job I'm hopeful about but I'm due an appointment mid November or could push to early December.
Going on the basis of a gap of 2 weeks or so between getting an offer and starting, there wouldn't be a huge gap there

Mr. Loverman

As a manager I would have no problem with this. Get a cert from the doctor to calm any fears that it wasn't another job interview.

Gael23

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

As a manager I would have no problem with this. Get a cert from the doctor to calm any fears that it wasn't another job interview.

So I wouldn't have to take it as holidays?
Going forward I would find a more local Doctor so I would only be gone for maybe an hour or so. But at the moment I'm in the middle of a treatment so I want to stay with my present one in the short term which would mean I would need most of a day off.

Mr. Loverman

I don't work for the company so I don't know if they'll require it to be a holiday.

They might.

Sinall

Personally, as a manager I'd have no problem with this once it was explained to me in advance - eg if one of my team said, "I have a health condition and need to attend a medical appt every few months. I'll try my best to get an early morning or late night appt."

Policies differ from place to place, so while I wouldn't get my team to take it out of their leave if it were only an hour or two, other managers might...

If I needed most of the day off myself for a medical appt (which has happened in the past) I'd probably take it as leave. As a manager you have the rest of the team to think of as well and most of the day means you're basically down a person for the full day.

Gael23

Sinall wrote: »

Personally, as a manager I'd have no problem with this once it was explained to me in advance - eg if one of my team said, "I have a health condition and need to attend a medical appt every few months. I'll try my best to get an early morning or late night appt."

Policies differ from place to place, so while I wouldn't get my team to take it out of their leave if it were only an hour or two, other managers might...

If I needed most of the day off myself for a medical appt (which has happened in the past) I'd probably take it as leave. As a manager you have the rest of the team to think of as well and most of the day means you're basically down a person for the full day.

Thats more less what I was thinking. I do have a health condition and have had a setback recently so for that reason I want to stay with my current GP for a little while as he knows me and all about my meds ,etc.
Going forward in 3-6 months time when things settle and I can move to a nearer Doctor, I could well do as you say, come in late/finish early or come back late after lunch. Then I would only need a day off less often if I needed to go to Dublin to a Consultant like I do sometimes

helimachoptor

Op each company but i would more say manager is different tbh.

My own manager is fine about these things, i work enough that taking a half day here and there for something is a non issue.

For the team that i manage again they work enough that i have no issue not "charging" them AL. You get to a certain level and you have autonomy in how you deal with these things.

Gael23

I don't have a job yet so this may not be an issue.

Im being put on a new treatment which requires 2 weekly hospital visits for a few months.
How would managers deal with an employee in this situation?

Mr. Loverman

It depends on the manager.

I used to work for a guy who told me not to hire anyone with any sort of health issue.

I used to work for a girl who would be ok with it.

Gael23

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

It depends on the manager.

I used to work for a guy who told me not to hire anyone with any sort of health issue.
.

This is why im always reluctant to disclose my medical issues.

Mr. Loverman

ryanf1 wrote: »

This is why im always reluctant to disclose my medical issues.

I think you need to tell them though... it's a pretty big thing to leave out the fact that you need a day off / few hours off twice a week for a few months.

Gael23

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I think you need to tell them though... it's a pretty big thing to leave out the fact that you need a day off / few hours off twice a week for a few months.

I have a number of medical issues and I am afraid that if I do I won't get the job. These will have a minimal/zero impact on my ability to do a job

The_Conductor

If it was an appointment once every now and then- it would be one thing- but twice a week would go far beyond what most managers would be happy to countenance. In a situation like that- you'd normally organise to take unpaid leave for the durations.

If you were taking these appointments immediately after being recruited- and there was a probationary period associated with the job- having accrued so much sick leave in such a short window- would make it very difficult to appoint you on a permanent basis- in cases like this in the public sector- the norm would be to extend the period of probation until such time as the average sick leave was below the average levels expected in a 4 year period (aka 22.5 days in a calendar year- or roughly 2 days per month)........ Keep in mind- an absence on a Monday or Friday counts as 3 days (the Sat and Sun are also counted).

You can't very well go for the job- in the expectation of taking 2 days a week off for the foreseeable future.........?

Mr. Loverman

ryanf1 wrote: »

I have a number of medical issues and I am afraid that if I do I won't get the job. These will have a minimal/zero impact on my ability to do a job

I'm pretty sure a lot of companies might fire you for hiding this information.

The_Conductor

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I'm pretty sure a lot of companies might fire you for hiding this information.

It would be grounds for forwarding a candidate to the Chief Medical Officer- if they worked in the public sector.

dobsdave

ryanf1 wrote: »

I have a number of medical issues and I am afraid that if I do I won't get the job. These will have a minimal/zero impact on my ability to do a job

zero impact, when you're there.
thats what may be the issue for a potential employer.

Gael23

dobsdave wrote: »

zero impact, when you're there.
thats what may be the issue for a potential employer.

This will hopefully only be for 3 months. After that its only consultant visit twice a year and GP every 3 months

helimachoptor

ryanf1 wrote: »

I have a number of medical issues and I am afraid that if I do I won't get the job. These will have a minimal/zero impact on my ability to do a job

unfortunately taking X hours off for appointments is impacting your ability to do the job

doc11

ryanf1 wrote: »

I have a number of medical issues and I am afraid that if I do I won't get the job. These will have a minimal/zero impact on my ability to do a job

It's up to your potential employer to decide if it'll have any impact on your ability to do the job.

Mrs OBumble

It sounds to me like you need a part-time job, with hours that will fit around your appointments. At least for a few months.

It sucks, but life's like that sometimes.

ebbsy

I have medical issues which require a few hours off work here or there, I either take the half day holiday or come in early and work the time up. Not everyone is healthy but it is best to tell your boss. You can then work around it.

Gael23

Would it be something to mention at interview stage or later?

Mr. Loverman

ryanf1 wrote: »

Would it be something to mention at interview stage or later?

Interview stage.

Otherwise you're hiding it.

You can work on a way to say it as smart as possible, so they know the issue but it sounds like you will make up for the hours missed and it's only temporary.

Gael23

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Interview stage.

Otherwise you're hiding it.

You can work on a way to say it as smart as possible, so they know the issue but it sounds like you will make up for the hours missed and it's only temporary.

Would there be any good part of an interview to do so? maybe at the end when its more less over?
I have one next Tuesday is why I'm asking

Richie71

ryanf1 wrote: »

Would there be any good part of an interview to do so? maybe at the end when its more less over?
I have one next Tuesday is why I'm asking

If it were me, I'd do it at the start..and be confident about it. "It's something I have to do to take care of the problem" Then you've plenty of time left to talk positively. Otherwise you're leaving the interview with negative thoughts in their head.

From a manager's point of view, they would much rather have an employee that deals with their illness than have someone who takes a couple of days off here and there without resolving the underlying issue. This is what you have to get across.

indigo twist

I'd be inclined to mention it at the "any other questions" bit at the end of the interview.

Explain about your medical appointments, giving as much detail as appropriate. You could offer a letter from your doctor providing confirmation of how much your condition would/wouldn't affect your work, and the expected frequency of the appointments, and the long-term and short-term impact it's likely to have on your working life.

You are not entitled to time off for medical appointments, and I would be quick to assure them that you are aware of this, and any time off will be taken from annual leave (or overtime?) with plenty of prior notice. (Of course, many jobs offer flexibility with this, particularly if you've been there a while - but the important thing is to get your foot in the door first of all!)

questionmark?

Personally the company I work for allows an hour for docs appointments add in the hour for lunch and you get a two hour slot for a doctors/dentists appointment. If it takes longer it will more than likely be approved. If its a big part of your day or a regular occurrence then you just need to show a doctors letter. Happy/healthy employ = a productive employ.

Gael23

questionmark? wrote: »

Personally the company I work for allows an hour for docs appointments add in the hour for lunch and you get a two hour slot for a doctors/dentists appointment. If it takes longer it will more than likely be approved. If its a big part of your day or a regular occurrence then you just need to show a doctors letter. Happy/healthy employ = a productive employ.

I don't know how long it would take but I imagine getting to the Hospital and back would be longer than the thing itself. I might not go ahead with this because its in Dublin and I'm based in Waterford at the minute so if I don't get a job in Dublin soon then its not going to work out.

Gael23

Well today I found out that when you get this treatment you have to wear sunglasses for the rest of the day. Thats not going to work well in a workplace so the part time option may be something I need to look at for the next few months.

indigo twist

ryanf1 wrote: »

Well today I found out that when you get this treatment you have to wear sunglasses for the rest of the day. Thats not going to work well in a workplace so the part time option may be something I need to look at for the next few months.

Look, having to take the time off is a LOT of a bigger deal than having to wear sunglasses for the rest of the day.

I remember in college some guy had to wear sunglasses all of the time. It was no big deal to any of us. We were all vaguely aware that it was medically necessary - we didn't need to know anything beyond that - he was just another classmate.

If you have to look for a part-time job because of your medical condition and the frequency of your appointments - fine.

If you have to look for a part-time job because of having to wear sunglasses some of the time (assuming it wouldn't affect your work to wear them) you're making unnecessary excuses for yourself.

Stheno

ryanf1 wrote: »

Well today I found out that when you get this treatment you have to wear sunglasses for the rest of the day. Thats not going to work well in a workplace so the part time option may be something I need to look at for the next few months.

Needing to take time off for treatment twice a week is far more of concern to an employer annual leave wont cover that at statutory levels

Gael23

This would only be for 6-8 weeks so would be done by the end of January. And if it works my routine GP visits would go from 3 to 6 monthly, possibly even less often given time.
If it was just once a week I could easily work back in the time but right now I'm thinking if I get a job in the near future its best to halt this for a while.

P_1

If I were you I'd focus on getting well first before adding the strain of starting a new job on top of it. It'll only be for the two months and it'll be better off for you in the long run.

Gael23

P_1 wrote: »

If I were you I'd focus on getting well first before adding the strain of starting a new job on top of it. It'll only be for the two months and it'll be better off for you in the long run.

With my condition I'm not "sick" with it. Its a long term condition that you just have to live with and manage, hence my reason for starting this. There will be times that I feel fine but still have GP/hospital appointments.
During the week, I'm going to meet a woman from an organisation that supports people with disabilities/medical conditions to enter the workplace. Im not sure this will help because I get the feeling that they work with people that have a lot more serious problems than me.

P_1

ryanf1 wrote: »

With my condition I'm not "sick" with it. Its a long term condition that you just have to live with and manage, hence my reason for starting this. There will be times that I feel fine but still have GP/hospital appointments.
During the week, I'm going to meet a woman from an organisation that supports people with disabilities/medical conditions to enter the workplace. Im not sure this will help because I get the feeling that they work with people that have a lot more serious problems than me.

Ah I understand and apologies if I appeared patronising. What I meant was that you are going to be getting a procedure done and chances are your body will be under a bit of strain immediately after it so it mightn't be the wisest idea to add the added strain of starting a new job on top of all that strain if you know what I mean.

Once you've recovered from the procedure trimonthly (is that even a word!) medical appointments shouldn't really be a major issue for any decent employer.

Just take things one thing at a time, making sure your body is in full working order should be your primary concern.

Gael23

P_1 wrote: »

Ah I understand and apologies if I appeared patronising. What I meant was that you are going to be getting a procedure done and chances are your body will be under a bit of strain immediately after it so it mightn't be the wisest idea to add the added strain of starting a new job on top of all that strain if you know what I mean.

Once you've recovered from the procedure trimonthly (is that even a word!) medical appointments shouldn't really be a major issue for any decent employer.

Just take things one thing at a time, making sure your body is in full working order should be your primary concern.

Its not going to make me that unwell to be honest. Apart from having to protect my eyes from light that is. I don't want to get too medical on here but if you read my posts in long term illness over the last few days you'll know what it is. Also when I came out of the consultants rooms on Friday I had a missed call offering me an interview this Tuesday!

Gael23

I had an interview today that I think went really well. I did mention an aspect of my condition, the bit that affects me most, but it was going so well I couldn't bring myself to mention the treatment I'm going to be having. This office is a good hour each way from the hospital so its going to come up.

Stheno

ryanf1 wrote: »

I had an interview today that I think went really well. I did mention an aspect of my condition, the bit that affects me most, but it was going so well I couldn't bring myself to mention the treatment I'm going to be having. This office is a good hour each way from the hospital so its going to come up.

Is it for a full time role?

Gael23

Stheno wrote: »

Is it for a full time role?

Yes its a trainee position aimed at graduates

Stheno

ryanf1 wrote: »

Yes its a trainee position aimed at graduates

I'm going to be blunt here, and please don't take it personally, but you've previously posted that this new treatment is for three months initially, then that it's for 6-8 weeks, so you don't seem sure how long it will be.

In a trainee position like that losing 40% of the first 5-13 weeks of the position if you need to take two days off each week is simply not an option.

I genuinely think you need to rethink here, get a clear treatment plan so you have accurate timeframes, and then think of how that can work around any role that you have.

And not mentioning the need for treatment at the interview imo is not a good move on your part either, you need to be honest from the outset.

For the likes of a trainee graduate position, unfortunately your requiring treatment that necessitates time off twice a week even if it's just for the first eight weeks, puts you at a distinct disadvantage imo.

Gael23

Stheno wrote: »

I'm going to be blunt here, and please don't take it personally, but you've previously posted that this new treatment is for three months initially, then that it's for 6-8 weeks, so you don't seem sure how long it will be.

Should have been clearer on this. I'll be waiting a while for it but it lasts 6 weeks so it could be 3 months from now when its all over. I don't know for sure yet how long it takes each time but its short so the most time consuming part would be travelling to/from the hospital.

Stheno

ryanf1 wrote: »

Should have been clearer on this. I'll be waiting a while for it but it lasts 6 weeks so it could be 3 months from now when its all over. I don't know for sure yet how long it takes each time but its short so the most time consuming part would be travelling to/from the hospital.

So best case scenario with the travelling you'd be looking at half a day off twice a week for six weeks?

Gael23

Since I last posted I've been in touch with an organisation called EmployAbility, that is basically a service that helps people with Disabilities/illnesses find employment, comes across as a sort of recruitment agency type thing to me. Although, I technically do have a disability, the woman I met said that mine would be quite minor against what they see and that she reckons I would be reasonably easy to place.
Also they say they usually seek part time employment in order to protect a clients entitlements(medical card and so on) but for me in the next few months it would mean I can get this therapy I've been advised to have. Its been a week now and all I've done is fill out forms so I need convincing that they will constructively work with me to find me a job.
The crucial bit of what they do is they make employers aware of incentives to employ people like me, for example a wage subsidy of €5 an hour to compensate for hiring someone that might be a bit less productive, grants for any adaptations such as if someone needed an accessible toilet or computer software or maybe having a door widened to allow for a wheelchair user. They also can facilitate disability awareness training for employers.

Gael23

So I had my first meeting with a Job Coach today.
I think I'm going to try and go the part time option but I'm finding it difficult to come across suitable part time jobs.
Any advice of resources that might be useful?