Employment law

[Tulipano]

Hello everyone

I need a bit of advice. I have 3 hospital appointment next week and I have asked my husband to take me and he said he can only take me to one appointment because he has no holidays left. I said to him that I am sure there's a law that allows you to take time of if your wife has a serious illness and she needs your help. His reply was that there isn't one. His boss may give him time off unpaid but he could also refuse. What do you think? Thanks a lot xx

[MEW53]

Tulipano,

When I was originally diagnosed with Scleroderma I had several medical appointments and my husband attended all of them. He was very lucky cos the company he worked for allowed him to change his working pattern to accommodate my appointments.

As it happened he also worked from home for many months, the company were delighted cos he was working on issues early in the morning and late at night.

I was very grateful that he was always there to listen to what was said cos sometimes there is a lot to take in.

As it happens companies don’t have to give you paid time off, but either let you take the time off as unpaid or make the time up.

If you look on the citizens advice web site there is a wealth of information:

citizensadvice.org.uk/work/...

Hope this helps.

[Tulipano in reply to MEW53]

Thanks a lot xx very useful 😃

[Lupiknits in reply to Tulipano]

MEW53's advice is good. Much depends on your husband's contract of employment and the company itself. Perhaps a trade union rep could help, too.

[AimeeA]

In the U.S. there is a Family Leave Medical Act where you can get leave to care for a sick family member, but you do have to fill out forms and get a doctor to fill out forms to certify your condition first. And it is unpaid leave.

Not sure what the law is in the UK but you need to investigate the law in your area to see whether he can legally take off. You should try to make other arrangements for transportation until you are sure he won't get fired.

[Hedwig121]

Hi Tulipano. Your other half might be able to get some unpaid time off or work some flexi hours to take you to your appointments. It's usually written into employment handbook what arrangements are available to carers. You could try carersuk.org/carers-rights .

[Tulipano in reply to Hedwig121]

Many thanks xx very helpful

[AgedCrone]

Maybe you could ask a friend to come with you to your Appoinments?

[Tulipano in reply to AgedCrone]

I Am newly in the area and I don't have many friends xx

[Tulipano]

You are right. It's exactly what my husband said to me. I think because I am depressed I sometimes not thinking clearly. Unfortunately I am new in my area and I don't have many friends and I don't have any family support too so I put lots of pressure on my husband. 😭

[AgedCrone]

Could you maybe manage if your husband came to just the most important appointment?

I know Employers may appear unsympathetic, but three absences in one week may be a bit too much.

[Tulipano in reply to AgedCrone]

Yes I could manage 😑 xx

[AgedCrone]

I really do know how you feel......I am now in remission, but since 1999 I have attended all my Rheumy Appoinments on my own.....once you get used to it it will be less scary.

If I have any particular issues I write them down....my Rheumy used to laugh at me ..... he said my imagination was my worst enemy when I kept on bringing up worst case scenarios.

Hope it all works out for you.

[Tulipano in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks a lot xx