New ish job and partner sick - time off

[Quirkyconversations]

Just passed probation recently, partner (tho we don’t live together) was taken into hospital yesterday with suspected heart attack. Boss let me go early in circumstances and went up hospital. Partner being kept in for monitoring and tests we aren’t exactly sure what’s wrong yet but apparently not a heart attack we don’t think but maybe some other kind of cardiac event.

I’ve not slept as obviously worried and there’s to be more tests etc today so I’ve taken day off work, said I’ll take unpaid if necessary. Not really my main concern right now of course that is to get partner sorted but it is playing in mind a bit where I stand.

any employment or HR people about could possibly reassure? Or give advice I’d be so greatful thanks

boss seems ok about it but we are a bit short staffed just now so I feel guilty on that but also don’t wanna lose job over this ?

Every company will have there own policy on this so really difficult to advise

But surely there is law on this too?

There is a statutory provision for reasonable unpaid time off to deal with an immediate emergency or need involving a dependent, so yesterday would fall into that category IMO.

The right doesnt extend to ongoing care so technically if partner is in hospital they don't require care from you as harsh as that seems.

Sick leave more fitting in this situation IMO as you're unable to work due to stress.

There are sone shit employers though who might terminate someones employment if taking sick leave here. What are they like generally? Supportive, flexible etc? Do they have any family leave type policies that go beyond statutory provisions?

Generally speaking a good company to work for, lots of additional benefits and hot on Mh support etc and it is just I left early yesterday and day off today. I’ve not slept and head all over the world! So would have not been able to concentrate anyway. I think possible I may get boss “having a word” but wanted to be prepared and know where I stand? Thanks for replies

That sounds positive(ish).

Be honest - you know it's not ideal in a new job, you just knew you wouldn't be able to focus with it being quite serious and worrying. IIWM I'd make a half hearted offer to make the time up wherever I could (even if the time off is unpaid/SSP) but would hope they'd tell me no need.

If they don't then they are probably the type of employer just paying lip service to MH. Wouldn't necessarily make me leave or spit my dummy out but I wouldn't be putting in any effort over and above in future for them!

Hope your partner is OK x

The partner isn’t a dependent / close family /spouse so IIRC stat right to emergency leave doesn’t apply, if interpreted strictly. Any employer worth their salt wouldn’t have had OP in yesterday, tho. If it was one of my team then I’d likely put them on special (paid) leave today, assuming the relationship is good at work and the trust is there. Would expect them back on Monday, though, assuming nothing happens to the partner (God forbid). Sick is an option.
If I was the one affected then I’d do as per Megifer’s subsequent post.

The law will be that you have no right to time off at all.

Most employers would be reasonable, but even as a long serving employee, I'd expect to be working flexibly rather than than not at all if this goes on more than a couple of days.

Where I work, if you needed more than the odd day away from work, you'd be asked to see your doctor and get signed off with "stress due to family illness" or similar and then the sickness policy would be followed.

As your boss, in your current situation, I'd give you this week, but not much more, unless it was a hour here or there for specific appointments.

What extra time off do you need? Put in an AL request for those days then re-evaluate, you shouldn't need lots of time off as sounds like he is not in a critical condition and will be discharged soon for outpatient type tests? sorry if i've read that wrong.

Nonirose it happened while I was at work aemitted around lunchtime, boss let me go mid afternoon.

i am thinking/hoping it will only be today and hopefully come Monday we will know what the cause was and partner will be getting right treatment and recovering.

You aren’t going to lose your job over a day off where they are informed.

They will either ask you to book it as annual leave, take it unpaid (which you have offered anyway) or book it as special leave.

(where I work, special leave would not cover this, it is largely for funerals of close family)

A dependent is anyone who relies on the employee for care or in an emergency situation, it can be a friend or neighbour it doesn't have to be family or a spouse.

So yesterday would be considered that (if op needed to invoke a stat right over this) as it was an emergency, and op would have been relied on to, I dunno, take stuff up, see if they needed anything, take information in on partners behalf etc.

Like you say though I'd like to think most employers would not just follow stat provisions, but some still do unfortunately.

Thanks all heading into work now will update later