Taking time off work with sick child

[joannewatson]

In wonder if anyone could advise where I stand in regards to taking time off work when my son is sick. My son is now just over a year and I have had to take 2 days off work this year because he was poorly, and I did not have anyone one else that could look after him on these two occasions (I think 2 days is quite good considering how often babies get poorly in their first year). My boss took one of these days out of my holiday entitlement, but when I queried it she took it back off but did not seem happy about it. I have to take my holidays when my childminder takes them so I only had one day left. Please can someone advise as I am not sure if I should be taking these days out of my holiday entitlement or (if no holidays left) without pay (which I cannot afford to do). Thanks

[CheekyChops]

Yes, your employer can make you take the days either from your holiday entitlement or unpaid.

[xxsparkerxx]

Im sure that as a parent you are allowed so many days a year for your "dependants" but it is at the companys discretion if you are off paid or unpaid.

Have a look on the internet to see what your rights are, www.direct.gov.uk, there is a bit about having time off for dependants: I have copied these bits for you as they might help,

If you are an 'employee', you have the right to unpaid time off work to deal with emergencies involving a 'dependant' - a husband, wife, child or parent, or anyone living in your household as a member of the family. A dependant may also be anyone who reasonably relies on you for assistance. The right is not for long term care arrangements such as childcare or nursing a sick relative.

Your employer doesn't have to pay you for time off for dependants but they may choose to do so. You can check your contract of employment to see if there's a policy about this.

[ccfluff]

no your employer cant do this. Your circumstances fall under the emergency leave for dependants legislation, go to the department for work and pensions website where you will be able to download a copy of this legislation.

[CheekyChops]

Emergency leave for dependants can still be unpaid, there is no law that says it must be paid.

[joannewatson]

Thanks everyone. In that case if it happens again I might just say I'm sick just so I can get paid. Or do you think thats a bit underhand?!

[aka pixi]

I dont think you have to take this sort of leave out of your holiday entitlement.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandwo rkentitlements/Parentalleaveandpay/DG_10029416

[878787]

not just underhand, could get you sacked

[funnygirl]

Here in my job, we get special leave for things like this.

It is not taken from your holiday allowance.

When my Mum was sick I was given in total 6 months off until the time she died with pay and I did not even ask for it!!

Mind you some people abuse it, saying nearly every week, their little Johnny is sick and they can't leave him.

[Compostella]

We are in the same situation and when we take time off we have to use holiday entitlement and if we run out of that, we the ask for unpaid time off.

Like you, we have been lucky and have only had to take a couple of days off, but it could have been worse.

I have read our company handbook and it is down to the discretion of your Manager but he/she can demand that it is either holiday or unpaid.

Hope your little one stays healthy, good luck

[joannewatson]

I have been really lucky so far in that there have only been two occasions in nearly eight months where I have had no other option. But it does worry me and I dont want my boss and colleagues to get annoyed with me for taking time off. I dont take the p*ss and previously rarely had any time off sick. But now all my holidays have been taken I wont be able to afford to take any unpaid days off. My husband works shifts but it seems to have happened when he has been working and neither of us have our mums about to fall back on. So fingers crossed! :o)

[meresborough]

I have a young child aswell and i know how hard it is juggling work and kids, I am lucky where i work as i get 8 days a year paid careers leave. But i know its down to the company if they decide weather they want to do that.

I agree with you if they are going to make you take it unpaid or tell you to use it out of your holiday then i would take the day sick. Companies don't seem to understand that you have a family to provide for and not getting paid won't help.

People would moan if you were at home claiming benifits but at the same time don't make it easy for us to work. Its a no win situation. Your kids come 1st so if your company won't help you out in a time on need then don't feel bad about going sick.

[Ethel]

Not all businesses can afford to pay for you to be at home to look after your sick child - somebody is losing out - your employer if it is paid leave, you if the leave is unpaid.

Your husband has as much right to take time off work to look after your child as you do - it shouldn't all fall on you and your employer.

One thing is certain - you need to know exactly how your company, and your husband's company, deals with it.

Going sick yourself to look after your son is a definite no-no. Abusing your position like that is very wrong.

If such leave is unpaid, try and put money aside to cover your loss of earnings when it happens next time.

[joannewatson]

meresborough, I totally agree with you, unfortunately there are people out there who take advantage and this spoils it for us.

ethel, I do not have enough spare cash to be able to save money to cover loss of earnings and I would rather my employer lose out than me, as the company can afford it and I cant.

Its a pretty good company to work for so lets hope it doesnt happen too often.

[tiggerblue10]

I work for the public sector and I deal with this kind of thing every day. As most have said you have to either take it as paid leave from your annual leave entitlement or unpaid. However where I work (BIA) you are permitted 5 days special paid leave during a rolling year. This covers deaths and other emergency leave. Once you have exhausted that entitlement within that rolling year you have no choice but to take it as annual leave or unpaid leave.

Luckily in my job we also have added bonus of earning flexi / toil and can convert it into that if we have enough hours clocked up.

[meresborough]

Ethel not all of us have partners and some of us try juggling looking after a home and going out to work (which is surely better than sitting at home on the dol) isn't it. I just about have enough money to feed, house and clothe me and my son and definiately do not have any money spare to put aside in savings. You are obvisously in a better situation than many of us!

[meresborough]

Hi joanne just had an idea, you can always ringa place called ACAS i think the number 08457474747 i will check it and let you know. They are a company that deal with all work issues and can advise you on almost everything. I phoned them once as i had to take an ex employer to tribunial. worth a call.

[terambulan]

I dont mean to be harsh but your employer has a business to run. When you are off someone else does your work. They will expect to be paid and your employer then has to pay twice for the same job if he pays you as well.

Be grateful you have a job and expect not to be paid when you take time off. No-one is indispensible so don't push your employer.

[Ethel]

meresborough - I am now retired but had my own company and employed many people during my lifetime, and raised a family. So I can see it from both points of view.

But really, employees child, employees responsibility.

[meresborough]

i do understand what you are saying but i think you are missing the point, amother might go out to work and the money she earns just covers the bills, if she was then to take a day unpaid to look after her sick child ( which will happen then she shouldn't feel like its the end of the world and be in a situation that she can't afford the bills that month. I understand y people don't work when they have kids as it is alot less hassel ( but people are quick enough to say 'why should we work and you live of us' it is definiately a very awkward situation.