[Advice Needed] Work refused time off to look after baby.

RuthnJasper

It would be a pretty unreasonable physiotherapist that forbids the presence of a very small baby in a session with its mother.

Equally, though, the employer's attitude is pretty revolting. In a similar situation in my workplace, the chap was allowed the time off as long as he made up the missed hours (which he did by working an extra 30 minutes per day for a week, doing necessary tool/equipment maintenance in the team's workshop).

OP - many congratulations on the arrival of your baby, and I hope that your partner makes a swift and full recovery from her complications. xx

AbstruseAlan

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

I suppose she could bring the baby but it's just the hassle of her going alone still not 100% on public transport (she doesn't drive, I do).

I've spoke with my manager again since and she's said she'll try speak to the deputy who refused it tommorow.

RuthnJasper

AbstruseAlan wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

I suppose she could bring the baby but it's just the hassle of her going alone still not 100% on public transport (she doesn't drive, I do).

I've spoke with my manager again since and she's said she'll try speak to the deputy who refused it tommorow.

Your lady is lucky to have such a supportive partner as you clearly are.
:beer:

Nicki

teajug wrote: »

Well, it seems that we have gone back to dickens time, what if the baby was snatched while you were being examined. Anything could happen, but it seems that as long as the employer is able to hold control over the employee and keeps the manager happy than that is OK!!!

:rotfl: it's a post natal appointment! You are EXPECTED to have a newborn in tow, and they will definitely be used to this. There won't be any question of leaving the baby alone anywhere where it could be snatched, unless mum want to of course

I've had 3 babies, had physio appointments after two of them and a variety of other appointments and always took the baby with me, even if I left the older ones at home, as when you are breastfeeding a newborn you can't be away from them for the length of time a hospital appointment takes. I also had to use public transport, and usually just popped the baby in a sling for ease, though if she is going by bus it should be easy to take a pushchair too. If you have a car seat, would a taxi be a possibility if she doesn't want to use public transport? Might be cheaper than you losing a couple of hours wages.

RuthnJasper

Googlewhacker wrote: »

I don't see the problem here, the employee was given the option of making the time up lost, remember emergency leave is UNPAID.

I do apologise - you are right Googlewhacker. I guess I was wondering if the OP had first explored this option BEFORE requesting the Friday leave and I got a little addled! Silly me. x

WestonDave

Ideally employers should try to be flexible in this sort of circumstance but its not always just a question of being awkward. If the OP has already had a load of time off on paternity leave, and now in peak holiday season is asking for odds and ends of leave, it may leave the business stretched in terms of completing the weeks work. That may not be the case, but there is always a balance to be had, and not always employees expecting to get leave at the drop of a hat because work is inconvenient. What the OP doesn't say is how long this appointment has been scheduled (unlikely to be last minute if its NHS) and if its been on the calendar for a while why not book a days leave well in advance so that the employer is able to organise cover. 2 days notice is pushing it a bit.

RuthnJasper

Googlewhacker wrote: »

the problem is the employee expects all the flexibility from the employer and as far as we know has not offered any solutions that maybe acceptable to the employer

Yep - that's what I was trying to say. Please blame a work-meeting today which lasted for over seven hours - followed by a bowel-related "episode" with Jasper-dog... Dear, oh dear...

smileylondongal

I suspect the reason the OP would rather take the time off is to help out his GF. I would assume that if this is a physio post natal appointment then taking a baby would not be preferable due to a) the potential work out and strain she might undergo and b) the getting to and from the hospital with buggy in tow (if you've ever pushed one around public transport with all of the newborn paraphernalia, then you can understand lol!), plus c) she might be in considerable pain or discomfort.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the OP asking for reasonable time off as it's not like he's asking for the whole day off and am sure can make up the time. I really hope something can be sorted out for you.

Sambucus_Nigra

AbstruseAlan wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

I suppose she could bring the baby but it's just the hassle of her going alone still not 100% on public transport (she doesn't drive, I do).

I've spoke with my manager again since and she's said she'll try speak to the deputy who refused it tommorow.

I am guessing you probably said 'can I leave 2 hours early' rather than 'what can I do to be able to leave 2 hours early' [ie get in early, work 2 lunch hours, work late the prior 2 evenings or something like that].

If you ask 'can I' then the answer can either be 'yes' or 'no'. If you say 'what can I do' then usually the person will try and process the request in their head before answering 'nothing', as usually most things are indeed possible.

skintandscared_2

Do check your staff handbook. Our firm offers "parental leave" days which are unpaid and you can take a maximum of 4 weeks in one year for each child under 5 years old.