Sunday Express Skeleton 22Nd December...
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Taking time off work with sick child
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In wonder if anyone could advise where I stand in regards to taking time off work when my son is sick. My son is now just over a year and I have had to take 2 days off work this year because he was poorly, and I did not have anyone one else that could look after him on these two occasions (I think 2 days is quite good considering how often babies get poorly in their first year). My boss took one of these days out of my holiday entitlement, but when I queried it she took it back off but did not seem happy about it. I have to take my holidays when my childminder takes them so I only had one day left. Please can someone advise as I am not sure if I should be taking these days out of my holiday entitlement or (if no holidays left) without pay (which I cannot afford to do). Thanks
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It's a tricky situation to be in, as I discovered yesterday for taking my first day off school to care for my sick daughter; returned to work today and my Head give me a ticking off. Sadly my goodwill has now flown out of the window and I shall refrain from doing any more unpaid overtime or all of those extra duties which aren't in my contract (like fire warden, first aider etc). Unsupportive employers are not worthy. It's a two way thing. You give more than 100% to them, it is only fair they help you out.
Never has this been about being paid when you weren't at work - it's normally about the fact that you had a day off!
Sadly, this is not the first time it has happened to me.
In 2004 my daughter contracted pneumonia (and then bronchilitis from the hospital) when she was a few weeks old. My wife had to stay in hospital with her to breastfeed, and I was suddenly left to look after my two other children and a 37 hours per week job. My employer, the Local Authority, refused to give me time off, so I walked out of the office and took it, then discovered I was entitled to Dependants Leave and filled in the appropriate forms. My Manager tried to discipline me over it! On the day of my telling off, she was off sick (ironic)! Another manager dealt with it and said there is no issue, as the leave was authorised.
Again, goodwill disappears out of the window.
Never has this been about being paid when you weren't at work - it's normally about the fact that you had a day off!
Sadly, this is not the first time it has happened to me.
In 2004 my daughter contracted pneumonia (and then bronchilitis from the hospital) when she was a few weeks old. My wife had to stay in hospital with her to breastfeed, and I was suddenly left to look after my two other children and a 37 hours per week job. My employer, the Local Authority, refused to give me time off, so I walked out of the office and took it, then discovered I was entitled to Dependants Leave and filled in the appropriate forms. My Manager tried to discipline me over it! On the day of my telling off, she was off sick (ironic)! Another manager dealt with it and said there is no issue, as the leave was authorised.
Again, goodwill disappears out of the window.
It is a really crap situation to be in. I have 2 children and you can guarantee that they are not sick at the same time ! My employer is very strict about these things and makes us take annual leave, even though I can and have worked from home in the past, and at ridiculous hours of the day and night to ensure that a job is finished. It seems that this does not count and therefore I am no longer flexible with my employers, I work my hours and that is it. It's a real shame because all they have done is trample on motivation, morale and dedication and alienated people. They do not get the best out of their staff as they treat them like dirt and I don't just mean in the situation of time off for sick dependants. I agree that the company should not have to pay you for not being here but there is nothing wrong with being a little more understanding and flexible. They would get much better quality of work out of people and more dedication. I can certainly say that if another job offer came along I would seriously consider it as I am unlikely to be any worse off !
It is a really crap situation to be in. I have 2 children and you can guarantee that they are not sick at the same time ! My employer is very strict about these things and makes us take annual leave, even though I can and have worked from home in the past, and at ridiculous hours of the day and night to ensure that a job is finished. It seems that this does not count and therefore I am no longer flexible with my employers, I work my hours and that is it. It's a real shame because all they have done is trample on motivation, morale and dedication and alienated people. They do not get the best out of their staff as they treat them like dirt and I don't just mean in the situation of time off for sick dependants. I agree that the company should not have to pay you for not being here but there is nothing wrong with being a little more understanding and flexible. They would get much better quality of work out of people and more dedication. I can certainly say that if another job offer came along I would seriously consider it as I am unlikely to be any worse off !
