Q’s about parental leave

[Piccalilyofthevalley]

I’m not at work today otherwise I’d consult my HR system, but would appreciate if you could help me with the following questions re Parental Leave and the law on this.

So, with hindsight I should have used this at my employment, as in the past I’ve had childcare issues, but now I want to.

I foresee some logistical issues WRT my youngest DC and their GCSE’s. DC is a summer baby, so not 16 until after they are finished and my DC goes to school 16 miles away. In the past it’s not been an issue as DH does his share and my other DC can drive, but they are at Uni now. I’ve had massive issues with my DCs mocks and getting him there and work.

So, I’ll have logistical issues over May and June with my youngest going in and out of school for GCSE’s. I will need to cover some of this when my DH can’t.

I believe the law is I am entitled to one week of parental leave a year, unpaid, up until the age of 16? Is this correct?

What if I work P/T? I work 26 hours a week.

What about if I work on a Saturday? I know he doesn’t go to school then, but if they make me take a block, I’ll happily stay off on a Saturday.

Does it have to be a whole week, or can I take it a day here and a day there? I may only need to cover one day, then 2 the next week.

How much notice do I have to give?

Can they say no?

Thanks in advance. I’d like to know the facts before I pursue it. I don’t think they’ll be forthcoming with the info for me.

All the info is here. www.gov.uk/parental-leave

Pertinent for you

• you can take up to 4 weeks per year
• must be taken in whole week blocks
• a week will include Saturday if you normally work Saturday
• you have to give 21 days notice to take it

Parental leave has to be taken in blocks of 5 days at a time. Your employer can’t refuse your request but they may ask you to change your proposed days depending on business need.

When I’ve taken it I’ve needed to give notice by the pay deadline each month so that the salary adjustment can be made.

OMG, I’m too bloody nice. I’ve never taken this, despite having had lots of childcare issues over the years and ZERO help from anyone.

Thanks for the link. Interesting that it’s up to 4 weeks and up to 18. I’m definitely taking it this year when he’s doing his GCSE’s. I will need to be available to drop him off and pick him up when my DH can’t. He’s doing mocks now and it’s a nightmare getting him there and my work.

I’ll get onto it.

Thx

I used parental leave last summer holidays for 2 weeks and plan to again this year, simply because I would run out of annual leave and my twins are 6 with additional needs so childcare during school holidays is very hard to come by.
I also used a week when one of my twins had his tonsils and adenoids removed a few years back.
I am part time also, a week refers to your working week so for me it was 3 days each week.

With the summer holidays I took the last week of July and one week in late August so the drop in pay (as it’s unpaid leave) was across two pay days and the impact felt less.

It has to be used in week blocks unless your child has disabilities where in that case you take it as singular days.

A request cannot be declined but your employer could suggest alternative dates that would suit them better etc.

so many working parents aren’t aware of this leave!

I went to speak to HR about parental leave. They said I had to discuss it/ get approval from my line manager. I have a new LM and TBH I don’t feel comfortable talking to him about this.

Does this sound about right?

Yup.

Your line manager is responsible for managing work, so they need to know about leave.

Keep in mind that they can’t say no totally, just request alternative dates. It might help to offer either parental leave, or unpaid leave for specific dates so that neither you or employer are tied to parental leave rules of you think that offering to keep doing the Saturdays would be attractive to them as well as you. Is emphasise in the conversation that it’s before the school holidays.

Yes. They have to give it to you but not on the dates you request although they do have to say why they're delaying and give it within 6 months of the dates you request. Definitely worth getting your manager onside. The rules are at www.gov.uk/parental-leave/delaying-leave

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but although you get up to 4 weeks a year, you are only entitled to 18 weeks in 18 years? So if you take 4 weeks one year, you have some years where you can't take any off.

That's right. In op's position I'd ask my work for the days off I needed as unpaid special leave rather than being unpaid for 4 weeks. It's a lot to lose!

And it counts per parent, per child, I believe. So if you have two children it could be as much as 8 weeks per year, per parent.
Double check this, but that’s what I’ve understood. I plan to take 4-weeks this year as I didn’t take any when my kid was younger, as there aren’t really any suitable childcare providers locally for their age group.

Use ad hoc days of annual leave to cover the GCSE period.
Keep parental leave for blocks of a week for summer / Xmas break etc.

I'm going to have to do this this year. I've used parental leave since my children started school.

Why dont you ask your employer if you can buy two weeks leave and spread the cost over the year. I did this for years.

You realise that your son can be in school all day on the day of exams? You don't have to be doing trips during the day. They have to provide somewhere for those students.

yes, but we had 2 days last week where my DS had 2 mocks at 0900 and he had to hang around waiting for me till 5, then 6pm.

I can’t do that to him again.

By hang around, I’m guessing you mean have the option of using a study space at school. For studying.

Which isn’t a particularly unreasonable position to be in.

There will be many who’s parents aren’t in a position to take time off the chauffeur.

Why can't he stay at school on exam days? He can revise at school making use of their facilities then relax at home.

Why not? He can be doing some revision in the library! He doesn’t need mollycoddling.

I think it’s a good idea. You can really help by just being around, marking past papers, providing moral support and lunch!

Would it be cheaper him getting a couple of taxis home rather than a week of unpaid leave?

Or use annual leave days for occasional exam days off and unpaid parental leave later for holidays.

Sounds very fairytale when the actual situation is taking multiple weeks off work unpaid in order to do this.

It's a mad idea imo. But then we need my wages.