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Original poster

Unpaid parental leave for 16 / 17yr old

119 replies

Ticklovetock · 08/12/2019 15:27

I’ve recently been reminded about the 4 weeks per year unpaid parental leave entitlement for children up to 18.
I can afford to have the full 4 weeks per year (I’ve never taken it in the past) so DH thinks it would be a good thing for me to take it while is still can (DD is 17 in April).

I know I’d be entitled to take it but my manager will no doubt question why I want to take it and it won’t go down well at all.

I’d spread the 4 weeks throughout the year and apply well in time of the leave.

Would it be ridiculous to take it for a 17yr old? I know it’ll be seen as me just wanting extra time off so I want to be ready with my answers.

OP posts:
mumsiedarlingrevolta · 08/12/2019 16:39

If your DD doing A levels it might be nice to take time off during exams to support her?

Original poster
Ticklovetock · 08/12/2019 16:40

Yes, I’m thinking of booking half term in February, a week at DDs exam time, a week in August for our holiday and a week at October half term.

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 08/12/2019 16:46

Yeah never mind the people who’ll have to cover your role.
It’s for emergencies, not an extended jolly with kids old enough to be out working.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Employment advice Families
leghairdontcare · 08/12/2019 16:48

It’s for emergencies

No it's not. You are confusing parental leave with emergency dependents leave.

If you are employed, why not take the time to learn about your employment rights? It might benefit you.

Original poster
Ticklovetock · 08/12/2019 16:49

Educate yourself MaddieMookins....

www.gov.uk/parental-leave

OP posts:
goodwinter · 08/12/2019 16:49

Good lord do people not read? It's not for emergencies. That's a different type of leave.

OP it's your entitlement, do it!

converseandjeans · 08/12/2019 16:50

I don't know why people are giving you a hard time - I think if you've been there 25 years and never taken time off etc then why not? It's something you're entitled to & is unpaid. It will literally be last time you get to spend properly with DD before she goes to uni/starts work.

rookiemere · 08/12/2019 16:52

I hadn't thought about taking it during exam time, that could be useful in a couple of years.

reginafelangee · 08/12/2019 16:54

You are entitled to it and don't have to explain why.

Print the info out in this link and have it with you when you meet your manager.

www.gov.uk/parental-leave

reginafelangee · 08/12/2019 16:56

It is clear a number of people on this thread are confusing emergency leave for dependants with unpaid parental leave.

These are completely different things.

orangeteal · 08/12/2019 16:56

Another option OP going forward after she's 18 is to look at buying leave, not all employers have it and it's at their discretion, but some places let you buy leave and take it out your salary monthly so it's less of a hit, if it's more leave you're wanting. May be worth looking into with HR if salary isn't an issue.

OublietteBravo · 08/12/2019 16:57

It’s most certainly not for emergencies. There is 3 week notice period - surely no one knows about an emergency that far in advance HmmConfused

chocolateisavegetable · 08/12/2019 17:00

Do the people being negative understand that this is UNPAID?!

Go for it OP - seriously

balancingfigure · 08/12/2019 17:01

Really glad you asked OP as I didn’t know about this. I only knew about the emergency dependents one! Could be really good for DH 😁

dustyphoenix · 08/12/2019 17:02

The gov. Uk website lists one of the reasons for taking unpaid parental leave as 'spending more time with your child', so I don't see what the outrage is about - seems perfectly reasonable to me.

TeacupDrama · 08/12/2019 17:06

it is not for emergencies as you need to give at least 3 weeks notice it can only be taken in weeks ( not odd half days or days) and employer can with good reason postpone it

if it doesn't suit employer they can refuse the time you ask for it but you must be allowed to take it within 6 months ( provided the 6 months doesn't go beyond 18th birthday so they can't postpone it and then say tough they are 18 now you can't have it) as Op's child is 17 and she can take upto 4 weeks in any year they will have to let her take the 4 weeks before her child's 18th birthday

Redwinestillfine · 08/12/2019 17:12

Absolutely don't need to explain yourself. It's up to 18 and is there to be used. You're not getting paid for the time, go for it.

CareOfPunts · 08/12/2019 17:13

If I could afford it I’d definitely take it, why not.

My last job wouldn’t allow people to take it in school holidays though. They don’t have to let you take it at the time you request, they can propose an alternative date.

NailsNeedDoing · 08/12/2019 17:18

I dint realise you could use this up until children were 18! Thanks OP!

Original poster
Ticklovetock · 08/12/2019 17:19

I have wondered if they’ll stop me taking it at half term as there are others in the team that will probably want those dates too.

If I’m denied though can they then argue that I’m not taking it to spend time with DD? She’d be in college then.

OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 08/12/2019 17:19

Wonder how this is applied to school staff? Doesn’t say they’re exempt.

TeacupDrama · 08/12/2019 17:20

it is 18 weeks per child so on average 1 week per year but you can take upto 4 weeks in a year it is unpaid though

it is just as much an entitlement as maternity

it is sexist to claim that taking legally allowed parental leave is a reason for redundancy etc
it is far less inconvienent to the employer as it is planned in advance than emergency parental leave which is to sort childcare which means cover needs to be arranged at very short notice

Original poster
Ticklovetock · 08/12/2019 17:21

I thought it stopped aged 5 too. I’m a bit sorry I didn’t think about it sooner!

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 08/12/2019 17:27

It used to stop at 5 but it increased to 18 approx five years ago.
Tbh I've only used it since mine have been at school. Didn't need it when they were at nursery.

Butchyrestingface · 08/12/2019 17:29

Rightly or wrongly, I imagine nothing will scream "not interested in my career" to some employers quite like taking 4 weeks off to spend knocking about with a fit and healthy 17 year old.

That said, if you've worked there 25 years and been a diligent, efficient employee, I suppose you've more than demonstrated your commitment to the job. Just taking advantage of a perk you're entitled to. YANBU.