Employment rights if you take time off work for childcare due to teacher strikes 31 January at 6:30PM in Employment, jobseeking & training 5 replies 436 views

MSE_Emily

Many teachers across the UK plan to walk out as part of strike action set to take place between 1 February and 21 April 2023...

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Employment rights if you take time off work for childcare due to teacher strikes

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tizerbelle

The article states that you have the right to take time off for emergency childcare BUT this isn't an emergency - it is a known event.  If you check the Time Off For Dependents rules it does not apply if you know about the situation beforehand.

TheSpiddalKid

Additionally to the above, the right is to make arrangements for the provision of care when normal arrangements fall through. 

Marcon

tizerbelle said:

The article states that you have the right to take time off for emergency childcare BUT this isn't an emergency - it is a known event.  If you check the Time Off For Dependents rules it does not apply if you know about the situation beforehand.

The event may be known, but the impact isn't. There's been much coverage of the fact that schools can't plan because they won't know until the action actually starts who is or isn't going to be on strike - so tomorrow could bring some very unforeseen 'emergencies'.

Plasticman

Marcon said:

tizerbelle said:

The article states that you have the right to take time off for emergency childcare BUT this isn't an emergency - it is a known event.  If you check the Time Off For Dependents rules it does not apply if you know about the situation beforehand.

The event may be known, but the impact isn't. There's been much coverage of the fact that schools can't plan because they won't know until the action actually starts who is or isn't going to be on strike - so tomorrow could bring some very unforeseen 'emergencies'.

I've noticed that coverage too but I'm not sure that it's accurate. In our area the local authority published a list of all expected school closures in advance. It might mean that schools have erred on the side of caution and have chosen to close because they're not sure exactly who will be on strike but parents (here) have certainly had advanced notice.  

Undervalued

TheSpiddalKid said:

Additionally to the above, the right is to make arrangements for the provision of care when normal arrangements fall through. 

Exactly.

You are entitled to "short" (undefined) periods of unpaid leave for "emergency" situations (also undefined) with dependents.

In employment law that would be interpreted as a day or two (maximum) to make arrangements but not normally longer to do the caring yourself. Obviously many "decent" employers allow far more flexibility but that doesn't mean others have to.

Obviously schools can close unexpectedly for a variety of reasons or children can fall sick so parents should have some contingency plans in place. That is what a "difficult" employer would argue if there was a dispute.