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What to do when there is no compassionate leave option

5 replies

Ahardyfool · 29/10/2013 17:03

Hi there

I am a contract employee working within a global company. I have over 2 years of service within the same company but with a short break between contracts.

My father became ill on 1st October this year and he is unlikely to have more than a few weeks to live.

I have worked the majority of this month, taking the day he was rushed to hospital as an early finish and the day following as unpaid leave.

This week and last, as he has deteriorated, and as I have struggled to come to terms with the suddenness of it all, I have taken 5 days off.

I was owed 1.5 days holiday and this will be paid but there is no compassionate leave available from my agency. My work has offered to be accommodating and will slip the odd day through (though this has not been formally agreed in terms of how many days exactly).

I am facing being unable to meet my bills at the end of this month due to last week only working one day, and I just don't know what to do.

Dad is deteriorating rapidly so I took a half day today in order for the children to see him in case he dies suddenly. I went back to work this afternoon but had to leave as I was in no fit state to be there.

My GP offered to sign me off work last Friday but I declined as I felt this was t an option. The sick pay is approx. £16 per day. However, it ha become obvious that I apparently have no options right now.

Even if I felt fit and well to be in work (which I don't much of the time, due to dreadful sleep, upset tummy and no appetite) there is also the issue of being there to support mum and dad until dad's passing.

Does anybody have any glimmers of hope to offer me in terms of options I may not be aware of?

Many thanks

OP posts:

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HappyMummyOfOne · 29/10/2013 21:37

We only get compassionate leave for certain family members deaths, it would have to be holidays, unpaid or possibly working hours back if original hours allow this but last option rare.

I cant think of anything other than sick leave given it is affecting your health.

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flowery · 29/10/2013 22:27

Sorry to hear about your dad.

Are you looking for options to take more time off than your work will allow, or options to take time off work without losing pay?

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twentyten · 29/10/2013 22:32

Would it be possible to take some leave due next year? Work extra hours to cover? Speak to the company you are working for.

Really feel for you. Wishing you peace.

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BettyandDon · 29/10/2013 22:32

Could you take a mortgage holiday if you have one to lower your outgoings?

So sorry to hear. My SIL is in a similar position.

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Ahardyfool · 29/10/2013 22:57

Thank you for the replies.

I'm hoping for the impossible in that I need enough time - with as little as possible having to be taken unpaid - to be of support to mum and dad whilst dad is dying. He doesn't have long at all - weeks rather than months. I'd happily take the time unpaid if I thought I could cover basic living costs without my wage but I just can't in any way. At least as a full employee I'd have 2 weeks paid leave. It's just every day is unpaid for me and with bastard cancer, it's sadly not just a case of a death, then being off to deal with funeral and initial grief.

I just don't know what to do. Boss is investigating possibility of me working from home short term. I really really hope this is a possibility. I'm awake all night so could work then and a bit in the day if they go for this option.

I'm a bit screwed otherwise I fear.