For a visit to the family doctor or dentist, your employer is probably understanding, but what if you go to the therapist every Tuesday morning? How does that work? Are you entitled to leave? And if so, will you be paid for this time?
Special leave
For special events, such as weddings, funerals and anniversaries, moving house, exams, union activities, as well as doctor’s visits, you as an employee can be granted special leave. However, the rules regarding special leave are not regulated by law but are determined by the CAO, the company regulations, or your specific employment contract. This not only states whether you are entitled to special leave but also when, for how long, and for what compensation.
Leave for doctor’s visit
Most employers expect you to schedule doctor’s visits, such as to the family doctor, dentist, or hospital, in your spare time. If this is impossible, for example, because you work full-time, or because the doctor in question is not available at the times you are free, then in most cases, you will be granted leave. However, this leave is not always paid. It is, therefore, possible that you will have to catch up on hours or take days off.
The chance that you will get paid leave for therapy is relatively small. First, according to your collective bargaining agreement, a therapist must be considered a doctor. Officially, a therapist is not a doctor. A psychiatrist is, by the way. Secondly, for therapy, unlike a one-time visit to a doctor or dentist, you have to miss work time repeatedly. Some collective labor agreements have established a maximum number of hours of leave for doctor’s visits, which ultimately makes therapy during working hours impossible.
The rules regarding therapist leave are therefore different for each profession or employer. Not sure which rules apply to you? Ask your employer about this.
What if you don’t get a leave of absence?
If you are in therapy for a long time, it is very annoying if you do not get leave for this. The number of hours of leave you have to take can quickly add up. Do you have a job that allows you to work evenings and weekends (from home if necessary)? If so, discuss with your employer whether you can shift your hours so that you do not have to take time off. After all, your employer also benefits from the fact that you feel better about yourself through therapy, so you have every right to ask for his or her cooperation.
Is that not possible? Then consider online therapy. The Online Therapists have very flexible therapists who also work in the evenings or weekends. This way you can see a therapist outside of work hours.
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