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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
My OB only does 1 evening per week and he is booked until October - I anticipate my boss being unhappy if I have to take a half day or few hours to go to an appt and come back. Are there any laws that protect pregnant employees?
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Posted 8/29/16 2:17 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Do you have any sick/personal time or even vacation days? Maybe you can just take half a day.
But beyond not paying you, I don't think they can penalize you 
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| Posted 8/29/16 2:29 PM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
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Katherine
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Nope, pregnancy is like any other medical condition.
I would just be as honest as possible ahead of time and try to work out a schedule. Offer to use sick/personal/vacation time or even take from your FMLA time.
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| Posted 8/29/16 2:35 PM |
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MrsB12614
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1986 total posts
Name:
Mrs
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
I don't think so- aside from using your own time. If I'm gonna for an hour or 2 I don't have to use my time or make it up. Beyond that I would have to use some time or just work later one day. I would be honest with your boss. My boss is super flexible and doesn't care really what we do, as long as our work gets done
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| Posted 8/29/16 2:53 PM |
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Momma2015
Mommax2
Member since 12/12 6656 total posts
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
I always had to use my personal/sick time. But I was never penalized for it.
ETA: I actually specifically chose an OB close to my job since I figured that's when I would be going to most of my appts.
Message edited 8/29/2016 2:55:36 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/16 2:54 PM |
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Dolphinsbaby
My 3 little guys!
Member since 12/10 2943 total posts
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
My job was super great with stuff like that, but my friend's job was more strict. She had to take every doc appt as vacation time. She would just make hers as close to the end of the day as she could.
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| Posted 8/29/16 3:00 PM |
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queensgal
Smile
Member since 4/09 3287 total posts
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
You could be covered by fmla which gives you job protection. You don't have to be paid for missed time but you can't be fired for it.
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| Posted 8/29/16 3:12 PM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Thanks everyone! When I had my DS three years ago I had a different job and my boss was great with letting me go to appointments, and the doctor was very close. This time around, not so much. I do not want to switch practices after everything I've been through already so I'm kind of at a loss. I have time off but I need to use it for a christmas trip, so I can't really dip into that.
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| Posted 8/29/16 3:14 PM |
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soontobemommyof2
My boys...my everything <3
Member since 4/15 3635 total posts
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Posted by Katareen
Nope, pregnancy is like any other medical condition.
I would just be as honest as possible ahead of time and try to work out a schedule. Offer to use sick/personal/vacation time or even take from your FMLA time.
This or how about going during ur lunch time? I know it'd suck big time but if ur boss is that strict, maybe it can work out, well pretty much only if u have 1 hr lunch.
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| Posted 8/29/16 3:20 PM |
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RainyDay
LIF Adult
Member since 6/15 3999 total posts
Name:
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
I have used all of my accrued PTO as of right now so I told my boss I would either work through lunch or work late to make up the hours. My doctor wants me to come in weekly now. My boss didn't sound to happy about it but tough shit. They don't have to pay you and I'm pretty sure if you have vacation time they can make you use that.
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| Posted 8/29/16 3:28 PM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
I already work through lunch - it's an "unwritten rule" that when he is in the office I can't take one (meaning leave the office). I will see with HR about staying late.
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| Posted 8/29/16 3:32 PM |
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clotheshorse
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1294 total posts
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Posted by Kitten1929
I already work through lunch - it's an "unwritten rule" that when he is in the office I can't take one (meaning leave the office). I will see with HR about staying late.
If you work FT, isn't a lunch break a requirement by law?
See if you can make your OB appointments late afternoon or evening. They can't accomodate you on the day they stay late? Does the dr have more than one location?
Message edited 8/29/2016 8:58:18 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/16 8:56 PM |
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RainyDay
LIF Adult
Member since 6/15 3999 total posts
Name:
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
You are definitely entitled to a lunch if you work fulltime regardless if there is an unwritten rule. I believe you are even entitled to a shorter break if you work part time and work a certain number of hours a day
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| Posted 8/29/16 9:25 PM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Posted by RainyDay
You are definitely entitled to a lunch if you work fulltime regardless if there is an unwritten rule. I believe you are even entitled to a shorter break if you work part time and work a certain number of hours a day
This may be true, but unfortunately in many places what the law is and what the practice is don't necessarily coincide. At dhs old job he basically got 10-15 minutes to run downstairs to get food to go and would eat at his desk. While they couldn't fire him for that, if he missed something bc he was gone he could be written up for that if they were looking to get rid of him, kwim?
Op-are you only going every 4 weeks right now? I would probably schedule the night appointments starting in October for the rest of your pregnancy, and then I'm assuming you'll only have 1 or 2 appointments before then? For those I would just take time off using vacation time-unfortunately I don't think there's anything to really protect you unless you use your own time-they don't really have to accomodate dr appointments.
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| Posted 8/29/16 9:43 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
When I was pg I had to use my lunch break for appointments but sometimes it would run over so I then had to make them for the evening as to not cut into my work day. I guess if I wanted to I could have used my personal time to take half days.
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| Posted 8/30/16 10:42 AM |
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Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Can you possibly ask for first appointment and come in late and stay late to make up the hours? On days where I know I won't make it in for something like my glucose test, I am working from home...is this ever an option for you?
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| Posted 8/30/16 11:49 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can an employer penalize you for going to maternity appointments during work hours?
Posted by Kitten1929
Thanks everyone! When I had my DS three years ago I had a different job and my boss was great with letting me go to appointments, and the doctor was very close. This time around, not so much. I do not want to switch practices after everything I've been through already so I'm kind of at a loss. I have time off but I need to use it for a christmas trip, so I can't really dip into that.
As others said use your accrued time off or FMLA for these appointments.
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| Posted 8/30/16 2:11 PM |
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