unpaid time off..am i allowed?

gingergee

I remember years ago someone telling me if you had a child under the age of 5, you were allowed something like 12 weeks off work unpaid for "child related things" (couldnt think of anything else to call it!). Did this ever exist? If it did what was it called? And how do i implement it.
Basically i have gone back to work after being quite ill (i have lupus). I work very strange shifts and my DS xmas play falls on one of these shifts. Do i need to book it off as a holiday or can i use what i have mentioned above? Many thanks x

clairec79

I think it's for emergency child care and so on, not for watching them in a school play

iceicebaby

Its dependant leave and its for emergencies that you couldn't forsee, not things that youknow about in advance

gingergee

jolly good, i shall whip the holiday form out!! Many thanks! x

Annisele

Sounds as though you have enough holiday left, so you might as well take that rather than unpaid leave.

However, if you'd rather have it as unpaid leave you could always ask your employer. You've no right to it, but plenty of employers will agree to unpaid leave.

heretolearn_2

There are two rights to parental leave

1) You have the right to time off in emergencies if you have dependents- a day or two to arrange alternative childcare, but not extensive time off to care for them yourself

2) Parental leave - this is for parents of children under 5, or 18 if the child is disabled. You need to have been with the employer for a minimum of one year. You can take up to 13 weeks leave to care for your child.

Neither of these applies for taking one day to go to a school play - take it as holiday.

Sambucus_Nigra

Annisele wrote: »

Sounds as though you have enough holiday left, so you might as well take that rather than unpaid leave.

However, if you'd rather have it as unpaid leave you could always ask your employer. You've no right to it, but plenty of employers will agree to unpaid leave.

Usually unpaid leave is only given when all the annual leave has been taken.

gingergee

UPDATE!!!

Ironically, i booked the evening off work, they were fine with it, but now he doesnt even want to be in the play!!! Lol, get to spend an evening at home with my family instead!!! xx