To think my employer is trying to pull a fast one over parental leave

[Gnarlytoe]

I had put a written request for parental leave in on January 2nd this year to be taken in the summer holidays. It’s was for 1 week and as my child is under 18 And I have worked for the company for more than a year I am under the impression that it should be ok.

My child is teenage but I still would like to take a week to spend more time with them over th summer, but due to the fact he is older the request was met with raised eyebrows.

Nothing was actually said though and the request was never mentioned but I calenderised it and was told verbally it was ok.

Now Covid has hit and I’m working from home, the assumption has been taken that I no longer require the leave despite me saying I will still be taking it. Manager has now said she has to ‘check with HR as she’s not sure whether it can still be taken’.

Does anyone know if covid has affected any statutory entitlement such as parental leave? I know it can be delayed but not cancelled. Has anything changed to make it now not an entitlement? I’d like to be sure of my rights before I take this on - I feel they are trying to pull a fast one to stop me taking it.

[flowery]

No, parental leave is still the same, no change. If you notified them of your dates, they would have needed to tell you within 7 days of when you told them your dates, so they are far too late to do that now.

[flowery]

Sorry, meant to say if you notified them of your dates and they wanted to postpone it, they would have needed to tell you within 7 days.

[Gnarlytoe]

Lovely, thank you Flowery, it’s just what I thought. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.