Time off to look after child?

Legacy_user · 27 January 2010 at 9:07AM

My son has had problems with his asthma all week. He has been unable to go to school and my wife has looked after him for the past 2 days but its only fair I take time off aswell, legally should we get paid for this? I know I don't if I'm sick, Or worse could we get some form of warning over it? He has been to doctors so we have proof its genuine.

rupee99 · 27 January 2010 at 9:22AM

nirelandguy wrote: »

My son has had problems with his asthma all week. He has been unable to go to school and my wife has looked after him for the past 2 days but its only fair I take time off aswell, legally should we get paid for this? I know I don't if I'm sick, Or worse could we get some form of warning over it? He has been to doctors so we have proof its genuine.

You can have time off, but there is no legal obligation for your employer to pay you.

System · 27 January 2010 at 9:26AM

rupee99 wrote: »

You can have time off, but there is no legal obligation for your employer to pay you.

Ok, It was more getting in trouble I was worried about

paulwf · 27 January 2010 at 9:32AM

You will need to check your company contract/handbook sections on "Special Leave" and "Carers Leave" as to what their policy is for looking after dependents.

rupee99 · 27 January 2010 at 9:47AM

nirelandguy wrote: »

Ok, It was more getting in trouble I was worried about

You are entitled to a certain amount of "parental" leave by law, but you do need to arrange this with your employer. Most will allow you days off at short notice in cases such as yours, but in exceptional circumstances can refuse, so don't simply ring up and say you are not coming in!

System · 27 January 2010 at 10:08AM

rupee99 wrote: »

You are entitled to a certain amount of "parental" leave by law, but you do need to arrange this with your employer. Most will allow you days off at short notice in cases such as yours, but in exceptional circumstances can refuse, so don't simply ring up and say you are not coming in!

So basically I need to get my crystal ball out and predict when my child will be ill?

socks_uk · 27 January 2010 at 10:19AM

This won't help you in your circumstances today but I have had ideas about this kind of situation and a possible solution.

I've always wondered why someone hasn't set up a childminding/babysitting service to specifically provide childcare for parents whose children are poorly but they still MUST go to work. It could just be a semi-retired nurse who comes to your house just like a 'normal' babysitter or a 'normal' babysitter that offers to look after sick children too. It seems so simple to me but I know it wouldn't be as I'm not sure on things like CRB checks or Ofsted inspections although if it was in the child's home I don't actually think it applies. There might be not much work or far too much to cope with!

I can just see the business cards for... Nurse Nanny. It's probably been tried but I've never seen it in my area.

Anihilator · 27 January 2010 at 10:26AM

nirelandguy wrote: »

So basically I need to get my crystal ball out and predict when my child will be ill?

No what he means is don't phone up and be a smart !!!! or tell them how it is.

Phone up and politely tell them your son is ill and you have no childcare and you are really sorry to land them in it but can they do without you.

If you expect it to last more than one day explain this and see if you can take some annual leave/unpaid leave for a few days.

It's no wonder you struggle

SandC · 27 January 2010 at 10:26AM

You should just ring in and say your child is ill and you need to stay home and look after him. You could offer to take a day's leave if you wish but by law for something like this they have to let you have the time off unpaid. Many employers, of course, use their discretion for things like this, especially if you work long hours at other times.

Just make sure you keep them informed.

Sadly, I have encountered less favourable attitudes towards fathers with these issues than mothers, which should not be the case.

Although I can't condone it, my brother has had the odd sickie for ill child purposes when he was younger - usually if he didn't have many or any holidays left.

System · 27 January 2010 at 10:35AM

I phoned up and said I wouldn't be in, no one asked anything.

wontfallforit · 27 January 2010 at 10:58AM

socks_uk wrote: »

This won't help you in your circumstances today but I have had ideas about this kind of situation and a possible solution.

I've always wondered why someone hasn't set up a childminding/babysitting service to specifically provide childcare for parents whose children are poorly but they still MUST go to work. It could just be a semi-retired nurse who comes to your house just like a 'normal' babysitter or a 'normal' babysitter that offers to look after sick children too. It seems so simple to me but I know it wouldn't be as I'm not sure on things like CRB checks or Ofsted inspections although if it was in the child's home I don't actually think it applies. There might be not much work or far too much to cope with!

I can just see the business cards for... Nurse Nanny. It's probably been tried but I've never seen it in my area.

Sounds like a great idea, with lots of red tape

If my child (which I don't actually have...) had something really minor like a cold or a sore throat, I'd definitely use this service.

Anything even marginally most serious though would probably 'force' mums and dads to stay at home, just in case. I'm guessing that only those with the most cutthroat/ruthless careers would feel compelled to go to work rather than stay at home with their sick child.

Time off to look after child?

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