Time off for dependants

stoob_2

Hi.

My wife goes for surgery on March 1st which will leave her requiring care for 7 days (not including the 9 weeks home care she will need) and I will also need to care for our 4 year old girl while my wife is unable to.

I submitted a request for time off to my employer on Janaury 19th, giving them 41 days notice that i require 4 days off. I spoke to my manager on February 1st asking if I was allowed the time off, and to cut a long story short he basically said "No, and if you do you'll get a written warning"

Do i have grounds to appeal this, maybe on compassionate grounds, or maybe on the grounds i need to care for our child? Should i go over his head and speak to his boss, or maybe HR?

p.s I've been with my current employer for just over 3 years.

Any help is appreciated.

thanks.

Savvy_Sue

If you work a five day week, it looks as if you can't take four days' parental leave, but there's information here.

anamenottaken

stoob wrote: »

Hi.

My wife goes for surgery on March 1st which will leave her requiring care for 7 days (not including the 9 weeks home care she will need) and I will also need to care for our 4 year old girl while my wife is unable to.

I submitted a request for time off to my employer on Janaury 19th, giving them 41 days notice that i require 4 days off. I spoke to my manager on February 1st asking if I was allowed the time off, and to cut a long story short he basically said "No, and if you do you'll get a written warning"

Do i have grounds to appeal this, maybe on compassionate grounds, or maybe on the grounds i need to care for our child? Should i go over his head and speak to his boss, or maybe HR?

p.s I've been with my current employer for just over 3 years.

Any help is appreciated.

thanks.

Request a week to look after your daughter.

If a written warning were issued, register you disagreement with the basis for the warning. If that warning were used in further disciplinary procedure/action, register your disagreement. Build up a case for any ET case.

Pitlanepiglet

This is more relevant isn't it? http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_10026555

My understanding is that you are entitled to take unpaid time off for to care for dependants.

Does you company have any written policies on this? Most do. I'd go and have a chat to HR, you've been left in a pretty nasty situation by your manager.

ERICS_MUM

Are you just trying to book from your annual leave entitlement or have you asked for special or unpaid leave ?


Linda

PS hope all goes OK. You are going to have your hands full for a few weeks xxx

Savvy_Sue

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

This is more relevant isn't it? http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_10026555..

I looked at that but it seems to cover emergencies, which are, by their nature, unexpected. OP knows this is going to happen, and when it is going to happen (barring cancellations!) so that's why I thought Parental Leave was more appropriate.

Anihilator

The OP is at the mercy of the company and its policies/discretion.

This isnt an emergency hence there is no automatic entitlement.

stoob_2

thanks for the replies.

@Savvy_Sue - I requested 4 days as i only work a 4 day week.

@ERICS MUM - Ive requested holiday, so as not to lose money, but also told them that i would take it unpaid if need be.

@Savvy_Sue - I did also look into 'parental leave' side of things. From what i gather, i have to give 21 days notice for parental leave, I gave 41. Also, if its not acceptable to my employer, he has to notify me in writing within 7 days, which wasnt done.

Think ill have to dig out my contract ...

Fire_Fox

Your manager presumably didn't notify you in writing as you didn't ask for parental leave, you asked for annual leave which was refused. I would now formally request parental leave within the specified 21 days and I'd copy your request to HR.

Savvy_Sue

Is there a reason why the request has been denied? For example, is this your one 'panic stations' time of year and no-one ever gets leave then?

stoob_2

on the absence request form theres 3 box's to tick, holiday, medical, or other. I ticked other, and stated i needed time off as the wife was having a op and i needed to look after our child.

My manager says he cant cover my run (im a lorry driver) and he says he only allows 2 people off at 1 time, out of 27 drivers.