Time off work for child with chickenpox? Help Please!

rach2403

Hi All,

My 2 year old son has been been sent home from nursery today as has the starting spots of chicken pox!

I only work on a Saturday but my husband also works weekends so tomorrow he was going to be looked after by a friend. I really don't feel I can ask her now - especially as she has her own children.

My job is only really for pocket money so I should take time off over my husband. The thing is am I entitled to? Am not worried about being paid just concerned about them saying no? They can't expect my husband to take the time off or me to find someone else to have him can they?

Thanks for your help in advance!!
Rachel x

themaccas

Tell them the situation, they can not force you to work and you will find you are entitled to time off in this instance, most companies call it 'domestic distress/carer's day' or something similar. Your poor son, it is a horrible time until they stop itching for you and OH too!
hugs
x

hobo28

Just ring in sick. There's no need to go into massive detail. Just tell them you have a migraine/cold/whatever. If its just one day off generally you don't need a sick note.

rach2403

Thank you so much for the speedy advice!

Would have been tempted to call in sick but I am the only sales assistant and at chemist so they do tend to want details!!

Will ring them now and get it sorted.

themaccas - can't stop checking his 4 spots to see if more have appeared poor thing! Also have daughter aged 4 so looking forward to her getting it to - fun weekend for me ahead!!!

Thanks so much again!!

Rachel x

andycarmi

I m thinking if you have children under five your entitled to time off when there ill payed. Or is that just my employer?

andycarmi

‘dependant care leave’ is unpaid, unless your employer agrees otherwise. The amount of this leave you can take is limited to what might be deemed ‘reasonable’ although what is reasonable is not defined in law. In practice, the Department of Trade and Industry has said that, in most cases, one or two days every time leave is taken should be enough.

To take dependant care leave, you must tell your employer as soon as possible why you need to take time off, and when you expect to be back. However, you don't need their permission and you don't have to tell them beforehand. There is no limit on the number of times you can use this right. If your employer unreasonably refuses to allow you to take time off, or penalises you for it, you can bring a claim against them.

See second question.

http://www.motheratwork.co.uk/Experts/default.asp?Category=Taking%20Time%20Off%20for%20Dependants

Bossyboots

Why not just ask your friend if she is still happy to have him. We were always encouraged to mix our children when chicken pox was around to get it over and done with as it is a far more unpleasant thing to get as an adult.

pippamannequin

Oh bless your little boy I do hope he isnt too bad with it. To be honest, I think you are going to find it difficult to sleep much while he has it, I was up all night with my youngest when he had it at 1, I felt so sorry for him. Maybe ring them in the morning and explain just that, you've been up all night with him and just dont want to leave him as youre shattered?

Bambam

Rachel I don't think you are being unreasonable asking for time off work when your children are poorly. I'm sure if you explain the circumstances of his illness your employer will understand.

lil_me

I am sure as a pharmacy they will understand.

I would also say the same as Bossyboots, usually parents want the children to come into contact with it early so it gets it out of the way, and isn't it with chicken pox that once they have the spots they aren't contagious it's before that they are ?

Poppy9

If my DD is ill I just ring work to say I can't come in because she is ill. It comes off my holiday entitlement or I work the day back (I'm part-time). I wouldn't ask family or friend to look after poorly child. You never know how poorly they are going to be and when I'm ill I just want to be at home etc.

Also you don't know if the adults have had chicken pox. I didn't catch it until I was 23 (from my darling nephew who was visiting) despite living with 3 siblings who all had chicken pox as children. I was very ill with it as an adult as was off work almost a month. It took another couple of months before I was back to normal.