Need advice.

[Postmanrg]

My wife has a hospital appointment in September with a neurologist consultantcy, I have been advised by the hospital to attend this consultantcy. Today I asked the manager if I could take annual leave on the date concerned and was refused because to many are off already, where do I stand on this issue ?, I'm a full time employee with nearly 15 years service.

[terry2972]

I don't know what the situation is but I would speak to your union rep and then inform the manager that you will be having the time of as the consultant has requested you both attend so I would imagine it's not good news, where is the compassion????
Hope everything goes ok for you both

[Postmanrg]

Thanks Terry, getting in touch with union rep tomorrow, not one in our office.Being asked to attend has certainly given me concerns, especially as it's neurologal and affecting her speech markedly

[plaguelift]

• Medical appointments: Employees should be encouraged to try and arrange medical appointments outside of working hours, but sometimes, this is not possible. When an employee needs time off to attend an appointment that has been scheduled during working hours, there is a legal requirement to facilitate time off. You might do this by arranging for them to make the time up, swap shifts with a colleague or offer paid time off.

I got this paragraph from the "Other time off support booklet." Get your union rep involved, but I would think that your manager has a "legal requirement" to give you the time off, though by the sounds of it he might be a bit awkward about it. I wish you and your wife all the best for the appointment.