Compassionate leave - are there any rules or guidelines??

Pthree

My father in currently in intensive care following a massive heart attack, as my parents live at the opposite end of the country, I have had to take time off work (currently at 2 weeks off but I have been working on my laptop and managing around 75-80% of my work)

While the prognosis is looking mildly better than it was at this time last week, I dont feel ready to return to work, if anything happened I would I would be at least 6 hrs away!

My boss wants me back in work in Tuesday, which I totally understand, we are a small company and anyone being away for any length of time can have a detremental effect, but at the same time I really dont feel I can leave my mum, I have around 25 days owing in holiday plus this years allowance (so over 40 days in totall), but am getting a lot of pressure to return.

I am doing everything in my power to complete work inbetween visiting times, in fact at 01.20 hrs now have only just finished sending stuff off, so am not just winging it.

I cant find any concreate facts on what I am allowed or is it all up to "company policy"?

Thanks
P3

AP007

You want to know if you can take Compassionate leave or holiday?

Firstly why have you got 25 days left from last years holiday? How have you not taken them?

paddedjohn

You are allowed time off for family emergencys but this is only normally 1 or 2 days and normally only for dependants, your employer has already gone over and above by letting you have 2 weeks.

Caroline_a

Most companies don't let you roll over holidays from one year to the next, and even if they do they tend to be capped and limited - where I work it's a maximum of 5 days, to be taken within the first 3 months of the year. This is because most businesses could not afford to allow people to roll their holidays over and over (40 days taken in one hit would impact significantly), and to me seems sensible. Unfortunately it isn't relevant to the company how far away your family live.

When each of my parents died I was allowed a maximum of 3 days compassionate leave which seems to be the amount most companies allow. Any additional time needed was taken as holiday, although when my mother died I was living 4 hours away and was offered the option to take holiday or unpaid leave - I had 7 days off during this period.

Many companies do not allow compassionate leave for anything except death of a close family member - I think you've done well to have 2 weeks for your father's illness. Hopefully he will be well soon, but I would go back to work if you want to keep your job.

pinkladyof66

ours is up to 5 days per year and also carry over max of 10 days leave to next holiday year. TBH I think you are being very unfair in expecting more time off, is it your companys fault that your parents live so far away. I would be asking for more time using your holiday or unpaid leave. Also perhaps your company needs you in the office ? I know that our company wouldnt think too kindly of 2 weeks off at short notice (which i know is unexpected) however they are running a business can you not return to work for a couple of weeks then book more time off later in the month using holiday or unpaid leave.

I think your company has been more then generous.

Pthree

AP007 wrote: »

You want to know if you can take Compassionate leave or holiday?

Firstly why have you got 25 days left from last years holiday? How have you not taken them?

I have built up so much holidays from not taking them as we short staffed at the time (it's actually over 2 years they have built up) and from working weekends, as agreed with my boss at the time. We are up to full staff now.

I do know I have been very lucky to get 2 weeks off already, I am just dreading going back and not being here if something happens.

The time off so far has been taken as holiday ( I was actually supposed to be off last week anyway has been booked for a few months), I dont mind taking it as unpaid leave, if I am honest Im just not sure how productive I would be anyway.

Thanks all for the clarification.

P3

Takeaway_Addict

Pthree wrote: »

I have built up so much holidays from not taking them as we short staffed at the time (it's actually over 2 years they have built up) and from working weekends, as agreed with my boss at the time. We are up to full staff now.

I do know I have been very lucky to get 2 weeks off already, I am just dreading going back and not being here if something happens.

The time off so far has been taken as holiday ( I was actually supposed to be off last week anyway has been booked for a few months), I dont mind taking it as unpaid leave, if I am honest Im just not sure how productive I would be anyway.

Thanks all for the clarification.

P3

Actually I don't think you've been lucky. You've helped the company out many times over the last two years when required and now when you need help they are refusing.

The problems of short staffedness have gone on for a long time they should have things in place.

Normally I would see things from the employers side but I feel for you and feel they should be more rewarding and helping you back.

cr1mson

Can't comment on legality or guidelines but just wondered if there was a possibility of a compromise:

Work a concentrated week i.e. squash 5 days work into 4 day or do a 9 day fortnight.

If your Dad is well enough see if if he could be moved nearer you

Take a go bag with you so if you get a phonecall there is no faffing about

This may come out wrong but nurses tend to be very good at being able to call at the right time so make sure that they know how far away you are. Hopefully it won't come to that and he will make a speedy recovery.

C

LittleVoice

Is it the case that while you are away up to a quarter of your work is not being done - or is it just not being done by you?

It is this 25% which you need to think about. Are the tasks something that only you can do and do they have to be done every day or can they be concentrated into a couple of days in any week? You need to be able to keep your job going.

If you can do work on your laptop and managing at least 75% of it, why are you finishing it at 1 o'clock in the morning? Are you sitting with your father durig normal working hours? Was your mother so reliant on your father that she needs your fairly constant attention during the day? If she can't cope, get help for her.

As others have said, there is no statutory right to this long-term absence from the workplace.

Pthree

LittleVoice wrote: »

Is it the case that while you are away up to a quarter of your work is not being done - or is it just not being done by you?

It is this 25% which you need to think about. Are the tasks something that only you can do and do they have to be done every day or can they be concentrated into a couple of days in any week? You need to be able to keep your job going.

If you can do work on your laptop and managing at least 75% of it, why are you finishing it at 1 o'clock in the morning? Are you sitting with your father durig normal working hours? Was your mother so reliant on your father that she needs your fairly constant attention during the day? If she can't cope, get help for her.

As others have said, there is no statutory right to this long-term absence from the workplace.

The work I cant do from here is being covered by someone else.

Its just trying to fit in everything around visiting hours, also logging into the company server is a lot faster when there is no one using it in the office so I have been doing most of my work early morning and evenings as its less frustrating and I can get more done.

My mum isnt reliant on my Dad at all, but obviously after nearly 45ish years of marrage she is worried sick and I feel needs my support, although my sister is here too.

On a personal note I am guessing that a lot of this is me being slightly peeved and feeling guilty because if I had actually taken those holidays I could have spent a lot more time with my parents over the past few years, and now I might not get the chance to

Have ticket booked back for Monday.

paddedjohn

In post 6 you say your 2 weeks off have been taken as holiday, why then have you had to work late in the night? Tell your employer that you want those 2 weeks back.