Sick pay rights for almost all workers in the UK changed last weekend - with the Government introducing new rules on how much your employer must pay you if you need time off work for being unwell.
But what if you don't need a day off - just a few hours to pop to your GP or dentist for a check up?
With many practices operating 9-5 hours with limited evening slots, it can be tricky to get an appointment outside of working hours - forcing millions of us to request time off work each year.
But are you legally allowed time off for non-urgent doctor or dentist appointments - and can your employer refuse you it?
"Generally, there is no statutory right to take paid or unpaid time off to attend routine medical or dental appointments," said Alastair Brown, employment rights expert at BrightHR.
Whether an employee is entitled to this will depend on their employer - which will be noted in their contract.
Your payslip is changing TODAY - here's how the new rules will affect you
It'll state if you have a right to it (in line with the firm's policy) and, if you do, whether it's paid or unpaid. It will also say if you need to make up for the time off - such as through overtime.
"This could specify that the employee will either be paid for the time away from work or will need to make the time upon their return," Brown added.
"It is not unreasonable to expect that these appointments are made outside of work hours, or within times when their effect on a working day will be minimal."
However, the rules change slightly if you're pregnant.
"In these situations, you have a specific right to reasonable, paid time off work to attend antenatal appointments provided these are made on the advice of a doctor, midwife or registered nurse.
"After the first appointment, you can request medical confirmation of the pregnancy, known as a Mat B1 form, alongside an appointment card providing the antenatal appointment if you wish.
"Remember that fathers and partners of the pregnant employee can also take unpaid time off for up to two antenatal appointments."
Your payslip is changing TODAY - here's how the new rules will affect you
What about urgent appointments?
The rules are slightly different if your appointment is urgent or unforeseen - for example a burn that may require immediate attention.
In this case, the time away from work is likely to be classed as sickness absence and should be processed as such.
This means that either statutory or contractual sick pay will be due .
"You should also bear in mind that employees with a disability may need to attend medical appointments more frequently than their colleagues, and failure to allow this could potentially result in a claim for discrimination," Brown explains.
But flouting the rules could cost you.
"Occasionally, employees may attempt to use a medical appointment as a way of covering up another activity, such as interviewing for an alternative role.
"This would technically be a breach of trust that could amount to gross misconduct and, therefore, dismissal," Brown said.
"If an employer discovers that this has taken place, they should process it through their usual disciplinary procedure and conduct a full investigation into why the employee has lied about their activities."
In the worst case scenario, it could cost you your job.
