Closed petition New legislation that employers must grant paid time off work for a smear test

Closed on 7 August 2019

The attendance of smear tests is declining year on year however the rates of women in the work place are increasing year on year. A recent review of data shows that a majority of women workers are in low paid and part time work. There is also the issue of zero hour contracts.

Paid appointment leave is at the discretion of the business you work for. Women on a zero or part time contracts are less likely to take unpaid appointment leave or time off work.1 - because this will have a financial impact on them. 2 - this could be the only hours they were offered in the week.3 - their appointment could be scheduled at an unsuitable time - no fault of their own. eg, 3pm women are likely to want to freshen up after a morning at work before attending such appointment.