please help, children and sickness and work

[lisad123wantsherquoteinDM]

Called into manager this morning and she has said that the time i have been off is not good enough and way above normal. I was off 2 days last week as DD2 was in hopsital, and previous to that we had an appointment for DH cancer appointment and DD1's CDC appointment. If I have to leave to go to hospital appointments I always stay late or make up hours but none of this is in writing. I work part-time and no one can cover my work when im out.

Now my boss has said if possibke i need to make up any further days off or find someone to watch the kids when they are sick.

I just dont know what to do. They have just made me permenant but I understand where they are coming from.

We are hoping I might be able to give up work in future but cant really afford to right now.
Do I leave and try and find a evening job so DH can look after children in evening, or just keep going?? Im so tired and stressed and now everytime Im off Im going to be in panic
I just wish I could curl up, sleep and be alone for a few days

[cinnamonbun]

Lisad, didn't want your post to go unanswered. Sorry to hear you're going through this. You should have the right to parental leave, please check out this link:

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Parentalleaveandfle xibleworking/DG_10029416

Personally, from what you say, I think it sounds as if your employer is in the wrong. You have made up the hours after all. Perhaps you could suggest filling out a spreadsheet of the hours you take off and the hours you make up, with dates etc. (That's what I used to do.) Good luck!

[lisad123wantsherquoteinDM]

thanks

[annh]

Unfortunately, parental leave is not much use in cases like this as it has to be applied for in advance and taken in blocks of no less than a week. It is of no use if you wake up one morning to find you have a sick child and no-one to look after her or if you just need a half-day for a hospital appointment. For the hospital appointments, were you not taking annual leave? Is your boss aware that you are making the time up at other times?

[JETS]

Check with company HR as many companies offer certain amount of time off for children of certain age (I think that this may be even a legal requirement). make sure that they know you are catching up the hours by keeping a record.