Parental leave

[coolma]

Could do with some advice here please.. We have a dd3 and a ds9. Childcare over the summer holidays for both will be in excess of £900, so my dh is thinking of (well I have suggested!) taking some parental leave. It's basically not possible for me to do it at the moment - he works part time as well. Could he take 5 weeks straight - or does it have to be in smaller chunks? He is concerned that his employer - The police force (although he isn't a policeman, but works in CSI) will object. I've said they can't object as it's a legal right - he's worried they will use it as an excuse to treat him badly etc. It would save us a lot of money if he could.
Any ideas?

[flowerybeanbag]

Have a read here all about it. Your DH's employer can't refuse but if the dates he requests aren't convenient for business reasons they can postpone it for up to 6 months.

There is no legal requirement for his employer to allow him to take more than 4 weeks in one year, although some do allow this.

You say it would save you a lot of money - you do realise parental leave is unpaid? Unless your DH's employer has a very generous paid scheme that is, but it's usually unpaid.

[K999]

Hello Flowery!! How are you? Hope your business is going well!!

[coolma]

oh I know it's unpaid, but as I say DH is part time and I earn a good wage. Childcare would pretty much cost what he would earn proabbaly a bit more actually, I know we get tax credits etc but it really would be a strain. Thanks as well!

[flowerybeanbag]

No problem, just thought I'd better check coolma, just in case. But if childcare would cost about what your DH would earn anyway, them him taking some parental leave sounds like a good option all round. Hope he gets it ok

k999 hellooooooo, long time no see! I'm very well thank you, and business is going extremely well also, which is great. How's things your end?

[K999]

Going well!! Forgot how knackering full-time and having kids can be!! However, have employed a cleaner and she comes on a Friday for 4 hours. Pretty much does all the housework and the ironing...

Am terrible though cos I dread a Thursday night as I have to tidy for her coming!!

How are dh and dd??

[flowerybeanbag]

Ooh a cleaner!

Glad things are going well. DH is fine, working v hard at the moment, DS is fantastic, full of beans, just transferred to a big boy's bed which he's very proud of. We also have another one on the way due in November.

How's your DD and D-I can't-remember-whether-its-P-or-H?

[K999]

Ooh sorry!! I thought it was ds but then thought that perhaps we had got 'chatting' because you had a dd too!! Other dd1 is well. Nearly 10 now! DP is good - working hard as usual.....never seems to be off duty being a lawyer. Your DH is probably the same.

Am glad your business is going well. I remember looking at your website when you had first had it done and it looked very professional!!

[flowerybeanbag]

I did that website myself I'll have you know! Well, myself with a bit lot of help from DH anyway....

Can't remember how we got chatting tbh! Just happened really!

(Sorry coolma!)

[coolma]

...er...hi...!!

[K999]

Sorry for the hi-jack Coolma!!

[coolma]

ha ha - only joking! Glad I bought you back together