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Dependant leave?

3 replies

jerin · 29/03/2010 20:45

I'd be really appreciative of any advice please...... I work as airline cabin crew and have just reduced my hours to part time. I have 3 children under 3. Our part time working is 2 weeks on, two weeks off. There are 4 blocks available and we have no choice in which we are allocated. I have been allocated onto a block that will have me working the 2 weeks over christmas for the next 5 years. I may be very lucky and not be rostered a duty over christmas eve, christmas day etc but this is unlikely. My family are 150 miles away and although dps has a sister nearby she alternates christmas at home and with her in-laws. My dp works shifts and is also at the airport so is also likely to have to work over christmas at some point. There are no nurseries that are open christmas day and so I therefore have no-where to leave my children. My only option would be to take them to my family which would probably mean they would be there for several days depending on what my schedule was.
I have had written notification that changes to my block are not permissible. I could apply for paternity leave but my contract says they could turn me down if it was over a busy period which it would be. Could I then use dependants leave even though it's not strictly an emergency?
I'm sorry - I know we're not even into April and here's me worrying about christmas it just seems little thought went into the allocation as the others who went part time all got christmas off for 5 years and none of them have children. TIA

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flowerybeanbag · 29/03/2010 20:53

No you couldn't I'm afraid. Emergency dependants' leave is for unexpected situations, which this would not be.

Is there really nothing that can be done this early on? I'd probably be inclined to speak to your manager about your dilemma and ask for help, and/or talk to someone in HR about it and see if anything can possibly be done. Your dp should also do this in terms of seeing if there's anything that can be done to ensure he doesn't have to work Christmas Day.

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moocowme · 29/03/2010 21:02

i am sure that you could find a nanny to work at those times. not everyone feels that they have to have christmas off.