Nhs carers leave

Sticky77

My manager continually harrases me about childcare. My 2 year old is looked after by my mum while I work as a nurse. This year iv taken 2 days carers leave because mum was poorly and 2 days off with my little one being sick. I understand that this is a strain on the nhs but at present we have carers leave fir situations like this. Very lucky I know. However sh constantly asks if a friend/neighbour/total stranger can have him or can't he go to nursery if theses abscenses arise. If I had someone to help look after him I would ask them. But there is no one else. Is it reasonable for me to speak to hr about her constant digging and also prying into my private life? She also said my mum is also aging so won't recover as quick from bugs so nursery would be better. Needless to say my boss has no children of her own.
Thank u

getmore4less

Given the total carers leave for the year is 5 days, 4 days in less than a month is cause for concern.

Can you not negotiate different shifts or do swaps to cover rather than take carers leave each time.

After 5 days it can be unpaid or use holiday allowance.

Carers leave is there for emergencies(to arrange alternative care) you should have alternative care arrangements in place that you can call upon when needed this will typicaly be a requirement of any NHS policy so I think they do have a right to remind you of your obligations.

here is an example of the policy from one NHS trust

B. Carer’s Leave
It is expected that employees will make reasonable arrangements for care of their dependants(*) and will make contingency plans in the event of those arrangements breaking down (e.g. having plans for what will happen if a child who is normally at nursery or school is ill and unable to attend, or if the school or nursery shuts unexpectedly).

However, Carer’s Leave may be appropriate if there is an unexpected breakdown in those arrangements, in order to see to the dependant’s immediate needs and to put other arrangements in place.

Where there is more than one carer in the family who works, the Trust will expect that both employers share the responsibility for accommodating any requests for special leave.

Managers have the discretion to grant between half a day and up to a maximum of five days’ paid leave ** (see note) (pro rata for part time) per employee per annum.

(*) A dependant is typically defined as a spouse, partner, child or parent or a person who lives with the employee (but not a lodger or tenant).

Sticky77

Ah no sorry it's been on 4 occasions spread over the year. 4 Single days off.
Sorry for confusion and thanks for reply.

SueC_2

Are you referring to the NHS financial year (ie. to the end of March), or the calendar year?

It makes rather a lot of difference when you say "4 days over the year" - it could be either 4 days in three weeks, or 9 months.