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Original poster

Parental leave

32 replies

Birthdaycake369 · 16/07/2023 06:54

I requested a weeks parental leave from my employer last year to look after my 2 primary aged kids in the summer holidays. They refused it initially but when I explained that it couldn’t be refused only granted or postponed they postponed it until mid September which wasn’t any use as the kids were back at school and I ended up just not taking any as they didn’t offer any other options. I’m still with the same employer and I would like to use it this year but I’m discouraged from applying from last years experience. Has anyone else experienced this with their employer and how did you tackle it? I have annual leave left but this keeps getting refused too when I try and book days off.

OP posts:
Caravanvirgin · 16/07/2023 07:34

School holidays start in 5 working days. Why didn’t you request last September?

Overthebow · 16/07/2023 07:31

Are you only just requesting it now? I would think that’s much too short notice and you should put your annual or parental leave requests in for the summer holidays much earlier in the year. If they’ve already got lots of staff off over summer then it’s fair enough really.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 16/07/2023 07:30

Gizlotsmum · 16/07/2023 07:10

How far in advance did you request the parental leave? Do other people have leave booked over the school holidays? When can you book leave and when did you put in your requests? As said above parental leave is at the discretion of the company so they can delay it.

All this is really important information. DH and I are using AL to look after kids during the summer holidays, And I had to book mine in April to ensure availability.

You only have a certain amount of parental leave per child I believe and once its used its used, it would be unpaid after that I think.

Its not your employers responsibility to arrange childcare I'm afraid

Sunnyjac · 16/07/2023 07:24

I had last week as parental leave as mine had started their holiday already but I requested it in about March. Perhaps you don’t give enough notice of the request? I think I have to give at least two months.

Regarding your annual leave, how much notice do you give when requesting that? If you’re giving two or three months then it does sound like your employer is being difficult if they refuse you all the time.

sunrisechurch · 16/07/2023 07:18

They’re within their rights to postpone it but if you have plenty of notice and it’s only one week, I think they’re being a bit unreasonable. The same with refusing your annual leave requests unless they’re very short notice.

Are they a good employer generally? Is it the type of organisation that’s very busy in the summer holidays or something?

Gizlotsmum · 16/07/2023 07:10

How far in advance did you request the parental leave? Do other people have leave booked over the school holidays? When can you book leave and when did you put in your requests? As said above parental leave is at the discretion of the company so they can delay it.

Summermeadowflowers · 16/07/2023 07:00

Honestly, it’s the new catch all response on here and it is so frustrating, as while yes they have to grant it they don’t have to grant it when you want it! I hope you are successful.