Does anyone know if I have any legs to stand on in this situation or would I have to take off unpaid leave?

[pinkbubble]

DD's best friend has come to stay with us for a few days as her parents and her Nan up staying very close to a hospital where friends Grandfather is very very poorly (hospital is at least 2 and a half hrs away) and they do not know how long Grandfather has to live.
Odd thing is the Nan has 2 other DDs that DD's friend could have stayed with, both live fairly near and have not gone up to hospital.(so not sure what is going on there)

Anyway, I really do not mind the girl being here, she isn't a troublemaker or anything, just concerned :-

a) what if Grandfather dies, what do I do, friend is very close to him.

b) will my work be willing to give me time off to be with this girl (my DD and friend have been friends for years and years)

c) what do I do with my DDs (I have 3 of them and DH is away all week)

Have never been in this situation before, already have had my DD in tears because she has quite often stayed with friend at her Grandparents house.

Sorry to ramble on, just that I am feeling rather vulnerable over this, probably would feel alot better if DH was around.

Oh and plus it all got landed on me this morning with friend coming to stay with only half an hour notice. Plus its their SATs week this week too! (should I write a note to school do you think?)

[missmama]

Cant help with the rest, you sound like you are having a real week of it.
But yes def let the school know what is going on for the sake of your daughters grades as well as her friends. They are always interested in anything that is not the norm in a childs life, as it can help with their understanding if they do not react or behave as normal.

[pinkbubble]

Thanks Missmama, think I will write for both girls, obviously on behalf of DDs best friend, I am pretty sure her parents wouldn't mind me doing that.

[pinkteddy]

what is your employer like - do you have a compassionate leave or leave of absence policy? Most places will only give paid compassionate leave for a close relative. But you have the right to unpaid time off work to deal with emergencies involving a 'dependant' - a husband, wife, child or parent, or anyone living in your household as a member of the family. So you could argue that your dd's friend is currently a dependant. See here for more information. Time off for dependants

[pinkbubble]

pinkteddy, I work in a school! So who knows. Thanks, I have actually known this girl all her life, and to be honest felt rather priviledged that parents thought of asking me.