Husband's employer is getting cheeky

GothicStirling

DeeMarie89 wrote: »

I wasn't just throwing up. I was weak an dizzy, and had blacked out twice before finally biting the bullet and calling my husband because my son needed feeding and changing, but I couldn't pick him up to change him or put him into his high chair. My husband explained this to his employer.
Just because you like to break the law, it doesn't mean it's acceptable. You cannot fire someone because they nee to leave work early to look after a dependant. They have the right to do so. I'm surprised no-one has had you in front of an employment tribunal.

I didn't break the law, otherwise my boss would have sacked me. You might not like it, but it is completely legal.

Go ahead, go into your CAB on Tuesday and make a right idiot of yourself.

DeeMarie89

Emmzi wrote: »

Dee, why don't you search the forum for people who have experienced the long and painful process of ETs?

You seem to think it is a simple choice and process.

It takes a long time.

It is emotionally exhausting.

It can be very expensive.

Then tell us whether you think it is worth the pain for a disagreement on a point of principal.

Having had to appeal to a previous employer, I know it's not easy, however the truing which my husband has today been told he won't be put forward for would have meant, long term, that he could get a better job for more than NMW. So it's more than just a "point of principal"
The law states he is entitled to time off for an emergency. This was an emergency. I physically could not look after my son.
Also, as I stated earlier, he also should not be penalised for having to take the four hours off for said emergency.

Emmzi

So what do you propose to do about it?

Do you have a load of people prepared to give witness statements in support?

Horace

The employer isnt being cheeky, they are trying to run a business but can't do that when a member of staff walks off site without prior notice. So, you had an emergency at home because you were unwell it still doesn't cut it that your OH left work without permission.

I suggest that if he is unhappy about being told off because he walked out that he should follow procedures and submit a formal grievance. He has to go down the grievance route and have exhausted that process before considering an employment tribunal.

I spent a few years as a branch secretary of the biggest unions in the UK and I know that staff who walked off the job without permission to attend some family emergency were reprimanded, it costs nothing to ask permission. It was also viewed as a health & safety issue because if there was a fire then firemen would have to risk their lives entering a building to look for someone who had cleared off home because to all intents and purposes that person is considered to still be at work.

Good luck with the grievance and I hope you find the answer that you are looking for.

Tiddlywinks

DeeMarie89 wrote: »

Having had to appeal to a previous employer, I know it's not easy, however the truing which my husband has today been told he won't be put forward for would have meant, long term, that he could get a better job for more than NMW. So it's more than just a "point of principal"
The law states he is entitled to time off for an emergency. This was an emergency. I physically could not look after my son.
Also, as I stated earlier, he also should not be penalised for having to take the four hours off for said emergency.

Good grief, now you're thinking of formal action?

If the training opportunity has been withdrawn then he needs to formally ask why. Was an offer for additional training already on the table - could he evidence that? Is this really the best time in your lives to start litigation? Really?

In the real world... your family needs that job more than the employer needs your OH so perhaps realism should be investigated before getting carried away.

Your OH has been given more than his statutory rights as far as emergency leave for dependants is concerned - and, let's face it, 3 events in 4 months is extraordinary isn't it?

He now has to accept that things may be tense for a while - and there is the birth still to come - so I'd recommend that he go in, keep his head down and just do a darn good job (without interruptions) and prove his worth.

How much more pressure and stress do you want to subject your husband to?

He is the sole wage earner, has an 11 month old baby and a pregnant wife who is not only ill but seems concerned with his working conditions. You are not doing him any favours here you know.

Oh, and I'd recommend you sort out a support plan so that you don't have to rely solely on your OH for any future short notice care needs.

Gothicfairy

How would you manage if you were a single parent ?

I am afraid that no one can keep taking time off and expect to keep their job. Even people off long term sick get home visits and Oc health, reviews and back to work plans etc.

I hope you are now better and that everything is back on track but to complain about this is not going to help you...Your hubby either needs a new job or to keep his head down and get on with things.

DaisyFlower

You need to get emergency childcare in place before he loses his job, phoning him to come home every time you are sick is simply daft. Its part of being a parent, coping with children and sickness at the same time.

meer53

Where i work, these events would be looked on in a very bad light, you can't run a business if you can't rely on staff to be there when they're supposed to be. We do get time off for emergencies but as others have mentioned, this is to arrange alternative child care, not for partners to take time off. Yes, it's difficult but thats what happens when you have kids !

eschaton

Lot of excellent advice on this thread from a lot of people with good knowledge.

Unfortunately the OP is of the me me me mindset and she comes first.

If you are not going to agree with her views then the good advice is a waste of time.

Only replies that say she is right and the employer is wrong is going to be acceptable.

I wonder if the partner has a mind of his own or if he is so under the thumb that the only end result due to the OP will be his unemployed status.

I could give the OP advice but she has no interest in hearing reality.

summerday

Perhaps you could contact a few childminders in the local area and explain your situation of sudden illness etc, see if they would be prepared to help out at short notice if required? It would be reassuring for you to have phone numbers of several people to try in an emergency as it's just not feasible for your DH to leave his shift each time. Also, childminders aren't expensive, in many parts of the country they are less than £4 an hour.

In terms of the unpaid overtime- am I the only one who'se read many newspaper articles about this happening more and more at the moment, so many people have no choice but to put in extra hours unpaid just to keep their jobs-it's certainly true of many people I know personally. In these uncertain times with high unemployment we have to count ourselves lucky to have a job at all.

I genuinely hope your health improves and there won't be any more emergencies to deal with.