Doctor's appointment during working hours: do I get time off?
An important doctor's appointment cannot always be scheduled in your free time. Whether you get paid time off for it depends on the circumstances and your employment contract; there is no automatic entitlement.
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What you should do now
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1. Check whether it is necessary
Is the appointment impossible to postpone and only possible during working hours?
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2. Check your contract
Is § 616 BGB excluded or regulated in your employment or collective agreement?
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3. Give notice in good time
Inform your employer early and coordinate the absence.
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4. Keep proof ready
A certificate confirming the appointment (with the time) can be useful.
Frequently asked questions
Am I entitled to paid time off for a doctor's visit?
If the doctor's visit is medically necessary and only possible during working hours, there may be an entitlement to paid time off under § 616 BGB. For routine appointments that can be planned, there usually is no such entitlement; you should schedule these in your free time or during flextime.
Can the employer exclude paid time off?
Yes, § 616 BGB can be waived: in many employment or collective agreements the entitlement is fully or partly excluded. In that case you may not be paid for the time of the doctor's visit or you have to make up the time. So check your contract and coordinate the appointment early.
Take action now
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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.