Time off work for child's nativity?

[mag2305]

It's our son's first little nativity play coming up (first child too so we're a bit excited ) and I'm just wondering whether it's worth my husband asking for time off to see it or whether he should give another (made up) reason? My dh works in a school. The nativity would start at 9.30am so I guess he'd be back in work by 11am. What do people think?

Highly unlikely he would be allowed to go.

Depends on the employer. I would key my team go. But we do that across the board, if people need to nip out for whatever reasons it's fine.

Everyone knows the score, its just how it works.

We work fairly flexibly and mainly based on the work we produce not hours. As long as someone can catch up its fine.

Can he take half days annual leave?

He can ask, they may well say no. Don’t ask him to lie though - if he got found out then he would be in trouble.

What's his role within the school?

He shouldn't be lying to the school, and i'm really shocked you'd even suggest it. If he's unable to swap with another staff member (depending on his role), then unfortunately he will have to miss it.

It's always worth asking. I also work in a school and I was always allowed, as are other staff including teachers. Of course we understand how important these things are!

We would grant compassionate leave for this.

My dh is a teaching assistant

Lots of parents will miss it. That’s life sadly.

He can only ask. They may say yes they may not but don’t lie.

Sorry totally missed him working in a school, despite reading it twice

Hmm probably not, I would have thought. I would imagine they donthave people who can stand in for him.

In the schools I’ve worked at I won’t have been allowed. If he lies it’s gross misconduct so I won’t suggest that. Unfortunately no parents are allowed at school performances for us this year anyway.

Clearly, he shouldn’t lie. Dishonesty isn’t acceptable.

He should ask for time off, be clear about the reason why and tie required, and a reasonable employer would grant it if practicable to the role he performs.

Not all employers are reasonable.

That's the thing about working in schools - you're doomed if you want / need any time off during term time.
I've worked in a school where there was NO time off at all for things like this so staff would miss nativities/sports days etc
If you wanted to marry on a Saturday then no to the Friday off - but that one I suppose could be solved by the school holidays at least!

Time required. I don’t think a tie is required for a nativity...

I'm a teacher (primary) so it does feel really special as I've been on the other side of Christmas shows for years and now I'm the parent and I'd love dh to be there too. He can only ask I suppose. Hopefully his school will be nice.

I'm a teacher and I think he should ask - I know my principal is reasonable and would let me go without question as long as I went for the show and then came back - primary nativity is unlikely to be more than 30 mins if he just stays for your childs show x

Totally depends on the school I imagine, my school have always been good with things like this, I've had an hour away here and there for nativity plays, open afternoons etc, but I'm happy for it to work both ways and will stay to help when needed etc.

He can only ask I suppose. Hopefully his school will be nice.

He can ask, but even my nice school would struggle to give a staff member time off.

I've worked in 6 or 7 different schools and there's only one where I wouldn't have been granted time off to go.

Staff will usually cover for each other for things like this as we all know how hard it is to see things in school time. It might be offered as unpaid leave. It's one of those things where if you abide by the principle of give & take e.g cover for colleagues if needed, don't take lots of time off then they should help you out.

I definitely wouldn't lie. Teachers and school staff are a well connected bunch and he's likely to get found out!

Definitely ask...my school does it's best to allow such things...

Ask but be honest, and if the answers no just accept it, it’s standard working in a school to struggle to be allowed odd time off in term time.

How bad have the staff absences been this term? If you have been hit by covid, and are running on supply I wouldnt ask this time round. If staff absences are pretty normal for the time of year, it's worth asking, but dont be surprised if it's a no.

I was allowed to go to my Y6 child's leaving assembly but I work at a school that is less than a ten minute drive to my children's school. I really think schools should try and be accommodating.

My DC P1 nativity is via zoom. thanks covid

sorry didnt actually reply to you OP, just raged about my situation!

No harm in him asking, i hope he gets to go

Our work has insisted that every parent goes to their child’s plays this year. I think it’s great.