Employment Rights - Doctor's Visit

[VenalWinfrey]

Dear all

Silly question perhaps, but I urgently need to see my GP about a problem with my groin area. I am not sure if I have pulled a muscle, but basically have been experiencing a mild pain over the last couple of days. Problem is my registered GP is in Lewisham, whereas I have just recently moved to Southgate! I know that it takes a few weeks for your notes to be transferred from one surgery to another, so I think realistically I am going to need to make a trip to Lewisham.

I have asked my manager at work what the situation is, i.e. whether this can be taken as sick time or whether it would need to come out of holiday. As I would need to travel to Lewisham and back into central London (work) I think it will certainly take a few hours, and possibly most of a morning/afternoon. She has replied to say that this would have to be taken as holiday rather than sickness. Is this the case? Would it be worth me confirming this with HR? I have had three days off sick in two years, and just one dental visit (about 1hr.)

Also, could anyone recommend a basic 'employment law/rights' book I might buy, just so that I am clued up a little more as to my entitlements at work? (I am in full-time employment, and have been with the company for two years.)

Any help greatly appreciated!

[theo_wyvern]

check with hr but first say to your boss you will be willing to make up the time elsewhere during the week - if still uncooperative then check with hr

[xrayspecs]

Take a Holiday day. Your employer has no legal responsibility to honour your doctors/hospital visits. Infact your employer would be within his/her rights to insist that you make doctors/hospital visits in your own time or be marked as abscent from work (which in effect is worse than a sick day because you won't get paid (if your employer pays sick pay)). At least if you take a holiday day you'll get paid!

[joko]

you can seee your new doctor immediately - you don't have to wait or go to lewisham.

as long as you can inform the new doc of any illnesses, medications you take and previous problems you have had, they will be able to treat you. if he is at all unsure of something they will contact your old doctor direct - most notes are kept on computer anyway so they will have a record, and your new doc may be able to acces them too.

at this stage he will likely just refer you for tests at the hospital - or diagnose a sprain - either way there is nothing he can do that if he made a mistake will kill you.

or do you just want a paid day trip back to see old pals?? ;o)

[lady_p_gold]

Well there is nothing much to add to what the others have said except that it seems you have been a loyal employee and not had lots of 'sickies' which some people have, so in view of that I do not think that they have been particularly flexible.