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Doctors appointment

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  • 05-01-2017 11:58am
    #1
    Bellaboring
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭


    Just wondering about the legality of asking someone to delay an investigative medical procedure due to work being short staffed?


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    #2
    davo10
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    Bellaboring wrote: »
    Just wondering about the legality of asking someone to delay an investigative medical procedure due to work being short staffed?

    Are you too unwell to work? Usually scheduled appointments do not count as absence due to illness so leave is at the discretion of the employer.


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    #3
    Bellaboring
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Bellaboring


    davo10 wrote: »
    Are you too unwell to work? Usually scheduled appointments do not count as absence due to illness so leave is at the discretion of the employer.

    Not unwell. Symptoms that in worried are cancer due to family history.


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    #4
    Bellaboring
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Bellaboring


    davo10 wrote: »
    Are you too unwell to work? Usually scheduled appointments do not count as absence due to illness so leave is at the discretion of the employer.

    Not unwell. Symptoms that in worried are cancer due to family history.


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    #5
    ForstalDave
    Registered Users Posts: 612 ✭✭✭ForstalDave


    Why is it short staffed, People on holiday or not enough employees? it would look very bad for a compnany to delay a medical exam if it turns out to be cancer


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    #6
    Bellaboring
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Bellaboring


    ForstalDave wrote: »
    Why is it short staffed, People on holiday or not enough employees? it would look very bad for a compnany to delay a medical exam if it turns out to be cancer

    Holidays I think... I'm not really sure. I really don't want to delay but I'm just wondering is it legal before I argue my case with them?


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    #7
    davo10
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    Bellaboring wrote: »
    Holidays I think... I'm not really sure. I really don't want to delay but I'm just wondering is it legal before I argue my case with them?

    Yes it is legal, you are requesting leave to attend a scheduled appointment. A Doctor will not certify you unfit to work on the day you attend a scheduled appointment.


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    #8
    CruelCoin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭CruelCoin


    Bellaboring wrote: »
    Not unwell. Symptoms that in worried are cancer due to family history.

    So it's voluntary?

    Nothing illegal so.


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    #9
    sundodger5
    Registered Users Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭sundodger5


    Regardless of legal etc. Go get the tests or whatever done...
    Some things are more important than work.


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    #10
    davo10
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    sundodger5 wrote: »
    Regardless of legal etc. Go get the tests or whatever done...
    Some things are more important than work.

    But presumably most people would like to have the tests done and keep their job.


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    #11
    toadfly
    Registered Users Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭toadfly


    davo10 wrote: »
    But presumably most people would like to have the tests done and keep their job.

    Ask your doctor for a note stating you're too unwell for work.


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    #12
    CruelCoin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭CruelCoin


    toadfly wrote: »
    Ask your doctor for a note stating you're too unwell for work.

    You're advocating fraud.

    A sicknote to cover for a optional and voluntary test?


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    #13
    davo10
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    CruelCoin wrote: »
    You're advocating fraud.

    A sicknote to cover for a optional and voluntary test?

    He can ask for it, but he won't get it.


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    #14
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,970 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    davo10 wrote: »
    Yes it is legal, you are requesting leave to attend a scheduled appointment. A Doctor will not certify you unfit to work on the day you attend a scheduled appointment.

    Correct.

    OP it there any option to negotiate, eg you dont attend as scheduled but work pay for the cost of having the test done privately on a different day? ( As opposed to months later which the public system is likely to offer.)




    Mad that we've seen rwo threads in one day pointing out how harsh the lack of any sick leave legislation is in thos country.


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    #15
    toadfly
    Registered Users Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭toadfly


    CruelCoin wrote: »
    You're advocating fraud.

    A sicknote to cover for a optional and voluntary test?

    An optional and voluntary test for cancer. Then yes if thats what he needs to do.

    Most docs will give a note for this type of thing.


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    #16
    davo10
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    toadfly wrote: »
    An optional and voluntary test for cancer. Then yes if thats what he needs to do.

    Most docs will give a note for this type of thing.

    No they won't, a sick cert means you have an illness which prevents you from attending work. A scheduled appointment by its definition means that you are planning to attend an appointment, and planning, in advance not to be at work.


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    #17
    CruelCoin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,468 ✭✭✭CruelCoin


    toadfly wrote: »
    An optional and voluntary test for cancer. Then yes if thats what he needs to do.

    But he doesn't need to do it....It can be done at another time, like say, when the employer isn't short staffed.

    OP, if your work have asked you to work because they're under pressure, bringing any kind of language along the lines of "legal" is likely to end any chances you have of moving up in that company.
    Massive red flag.


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    #18
    ForestFire
    Registered Users Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭ForestFire


    Some people here saying the appointment is planned and voluntary that I don't understand.
    The OP has Symptoms that need further investigation, as recommended by their doctor I presume.

    I think the important information the OP needs to check is:-
    If the OP cancels this appointment, when is the next available appointment that they will get?

    I know my wife cancel an appointment for investigation for back pain (Arthritis) and got the next appointment 6 months later.
    If that was the case here I would say it is unacceptable to cancel this appointment.
    If the next appointment in in the next few weeks, then maybe the delay is okay.

    Just look at the news today - David Bowie found out 3 months before his death of his cancer, a while all cancers are different it is not something I would want to delaying getting checked.


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    #19
    davo10
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    ForestFire wrote: »
    Some people here saying the appointment is planned and voluntary that I don't understand.
    The OP has Symptoms that need further investigation, as recommended by their doctor I presume.

    I think the important information the OP needs to check is:-
    If the OP cancels this appointment, when is the next available appointment that they will get?

    I know my wife cancel an appointment for investigation for back pain (Arthritis) and got the next appointment 6 months later.
    If that was the case here I would say it is unacceptable to cancel this appointment.
    If the next appointment in in the next few weeks, then maybe the delay is okay.

    Just look at the news today - David Bowie found out 3 months before his death of his cancer, a while all cancers are different it is not something I would want to delaying getting checked.

    I don't think anyone is arguing that the op shouldn't get the tests done or that they should be delayed. The op asked if it was legal for his employer to refuse time off to have a scheduled appointment with a Doctor even though he is not ill, yes it is as the op is not sick. Symptoms for all illnesses can vary, the op is having the tests because there is a family history, not because he is sick.


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    #20
    ForestFire
    Registered Users Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭ForestFire


    davo10 wrote: »
    I don't think anyone is arguing that the op shouldn't get the tests done or that they should be delayed. The op asked if it was legal for his employer to refuse time off to have a scheduled appointment with a Doctor even though he is not ill, yes it is as the op is not sick. Symptoms for all illnesses can vary, the op is having the tests because there is a family history, not because he is sick.

    Just to clarify, the op is getting the tests done because they have symptoms and there is a family history.

    So what is the definition of not delaying the tests? 1 week, 1 month, 3 months?

    That's why I'd advise the op to check if they cancel when is the next appointment, and then decide what is best for themselves and bring this info back to employer as their only option for a serious investigation.


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    #21
    renmorenewbie
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭renmorenewbie


    OP as far as I'm aware for non emergency procedures you could be asked to schedule with company... if you have symptoms don't put it off if you can at all.

    I know you may not want, nor do you need to, divulge information on the nature or reason of tests but I think if you share some of the information with your boss it would be a cold hard person to ask you to reschedule investigations or tests related to cancer.

    In my case I shared some details with my boss he was trying to comfort me all was ok...but was also understanding of appointments at short notice.
    In the case of potential cancer diagnosis time is important. I had cancer diagnosis/ biopsy result on Wednesday and surgery following Tuesday. I'm not trying to scare you just it's not an appointment for verucca or sore toe.

    Hope it's nothing serious


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    #22
    FrStone
    Registered Users Posts: 720 ✭✭✭FrStone


    davo10 wrote: »
    He can ask for it, but he won't get it.

    Then he needs to get a new gp. No point having an uncooperative gp...

    Go to the appointment your health is more important than work will ever be.


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    #23
    Corruptedmorals
    Registered Users Posts: 4,194 ✭✭✭Corruptedmorals


    I work in a hospital, a depressing number of people cancel appointments because they cannot take time off work. For public appointments you can be waiting months for another slot. Employers should be aware of this.

    I would advise attending the appointment. If it's a public appointment and you decide not to go, you MUST ring up in advance and cancel it. Keep trying until you get through. If you don't make contact and don't attend, you will be discharged.


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    #24
    Bellaboring
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭Bellaboring


    Thanks guys. Told the head guy in work what was going on and he was really understanding when I explained how worried I was. So personally I'm able to go.

    Raging that it is legal to prevent people from attending appointments though. And that I'm dependant on the good grace of my employer. For gods sake most of the population work during clinic/surgical hours, it's not exactly reasonable to expect we can schedule them outside Monday - Friday 9-5. And as someone suggested I could have called in sick (missing a full day not a half) which benefits no one.


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    #25
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Personnally I'd try to reschedule the appointment for either earlier or later that day if possible, failing that I'd take the time off anyway after advising my employer of how serious the appointment was (without going into details of course, just tell him if it wasn't serious you wouldn't take the time off), I'd also offer to make up the time.

    Can you ask a colleague to cover for you?

    Ultimately it's your life and a job is just a job.

    have you enquired from NERA? They might know what law if any covers it.


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    #26
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users Posts: 25,970 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Bellaboring wrote: »
    Raging that it is legal to prevent people from attending appointments though. And that I'm dependant on the good grace of my employer. For gods sake most of the population work during clinic/surgical hours, it's not exactly reasonable to expect we can schedule them outside Monday - Friday 9-5. And as someone suggested I could have called in sick (missing a full day not a half) which benefits no one.

    Would you consider dropping your TD a note about this?

    It won't get the situation changed for you, but it's pressure from electors that starts to get issues on the table for law changes.

    All the best with your tests.


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    #27
    Avatar MIA
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,750 ✭✭✭Avatar MIA


    toadfly wrote: »

    Most docs will give a note for this type of thing.

    They certainly give it for less. In any case, the mental stress about the possibility of having cancer, and going undiagnosed with be mentally draining...


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    #28
    Gael23
    Registered Users Posts: 12,113 ✭✭✭✭Gael23


    Slightly different question on the same point.
    I have a medical condition which means I need to see a doctor every few months for review even when I'm perfectly well. Mostly this would only be an hour or so but would that time be taken out of my Holiday Leave or how would it be dealt with?


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    #29
    renmorenewbie
    Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭renmorenewbie


    Annual leave...in much the same way as a dental appointment .... I too have follow up clinic appointments and work up the time or take it from annual leave.


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    #30
    km991148
    Registered Users Posts: 4,277 ✭✭✭km991148


    Gael23 wrote: »
    Slightly different question on the same point.
    I have a medical condition which means I need to see a doctor every few months for review even when I'm perfectly well. Mostly this would only be an hour or so but would that time be taken out of my Holiday Leave or how would it be dealt with?

    How can you expect a definitive answer on boards.ie?

    It will depend on a number of factors:
    What type of job you do, your relationship with your employer, the length of service you have etc.

    Go speak to them and find out - either you can make some arrangement or you will need to take days off..


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    #31
    P_1
    Registered Users Posts: 14,681 ✭✭✭✭P_1


    Gael23 wrote: »
    Slightly different question on the same point.
    I have a medical condition which means I need to see a doctor every few months for review even when I'm perfectly well. Mostly this would only be an hour or so but would that time be taken out of my Holiday Leave or how would it be dealt with?

    It depends on your company. Some may let you take it as a medical appointment others may ask you to take it as annual leave.


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