Do any parents use 4 weeks unpaid parental leave each year when returning to full time work?

[ThePoisedOpalBird]

I am potentially getting a full time job. I wont lie I am really struggling emotionally with this as I have only worked 2 days a week since ds1 was born but life is expensive and my partner is keen for me to earn more now my mat leave from ds2 is due to end so we can save to buy a house.

I have been looking at holiday allowance, bank holidays etc to see how to optimise my time with the kids.

Has anyone used a large amount of their unpaid parental leave to take extra time off each year?

I am thinking of using 4 weeks a year to boost my holiday total and increase the amount of time I get with the kids.

Does anyone else do this? Do your employers mind? I figured with holiday allowance of 5 weeks and 4 weeks of unpaid parental leave I would be almost doubling the time I get off with the kids which might help alleviate some of the sadness I feel about leaving them.

Ive never used it. I have a 10yo DC. I dont want to be unpaid really is the main issue. Seperately I have a pretty senior role so I dont think an additional 4 weeks out would help my workload. Ive never known anyone to take it in all my years being a manager (13) but if anyone asked for it id consider it in line with our work capacity etc and employers dont need to approve immediately they can kick the can down the line for 6 months

Yeah I wouldn't have an issue with it being delayed (both kids are under 3 so can be pulled out of childcare as and when needed) I wouldnt take it in 1 big block would proabably do a week at a time ontop of holiday allowance.

Just want to make the most of what time I can get with them as I am used to being with them.

I have friends that take it for the summer holidays, most others just use the odd day here and there though as emergency leave for sick children or other family emergencies.
Is there any compromise to be had, can you for example work 4 days a week and then have a day with dc every week. You might feel better about this but you’re also doubling your income so dp may also be happy? That way you’re also not paying for childcare that you won’t use anyway

Unfortunately its an entry level job and they want someone 5 days a week.

As far as I was aware unpaid parental leave cannot be taken as single days it has to he full weeks? Its there to increase time with the kids not for sickness and emergencies?

I think 4 weeks a year is pushing it, but in the right company, probably fine. Other companies will make it trickier.

I mean legally they don't have a choice but to let me use it. In theory I could take 8 weeks a year (4 weeks per child) but that would eat it all up very quickly! Obviously they can delay it but they cant refuse completely.

Might be more of a I have to accept my employer might not like it and might make the relationship not great in the long run.

You say you are potentially getting a full time job? What does this mean? You are looking? Or you have an offer and are finalising terms?

I'd be very careful about mentioning your intentions about parental leave. Yes it's statutory but the job market is incredibly competitive at the moment and employers could potentially be put off by a mother who is going to be requesting additional time off (sadly employers seems to be put off by mothers altogether but that's a different thread)

Don't disadvantage yourself by mentioning this at the interview stage.

FWIW I've never used parental leave (x3 DC and the youngest is disabled) as I couldn't afford the drop in income but it's good to know it's available in a dire situation or for people who can utilise it.

I am on a 2nd interview this week after passing initial interview so my partner is hoping I will he successful.

No I wont mention it as I know it would likely disadvantage me.

Luckily it would double my income so I could afford to take the unpaid time off.

Yes. When my hours increased from 0.6 to 0.8 FTE I started taking parental leave, and take 4 weeks a year. I will do so until youngest turns 18. I give loads of notice and spread it across the year. I’ve been a widowed parent for a decade and my DC have had a good few challenges. I’ve worked for the same company for nearly 19 years and they appreciate my experience

Yes I use it and tell others about it too, as many have no idea it exists.

And you can use singular days if your child is disabled.

Your future employer has a right to postpone the PL for up to 6 months. This would be reasonable if you are trying to take time off in school holidays at the same time as other employees, leaving the team under staffed at peak times.

You can't assume that you would be the only one asking for parental leave.

Why don't you just ask for something like a term time only contract or compressed hours? Although you have 2 under 3 at the moment, they will be school age very soon.

Unfortunately its been hard enough to find this job and they want someone full time 5 days a week.

To be fair once they are at school it isn't so bad as they are at school so I wont feel so bad. Its whilst they are so young I am struggling with leaving them so I want to make the most of any time off I can get.

How large is the potential employer?

The legal position is very different to the reality & impact, depending upon whether it's a large organisation or a small business & there is the capacity amongst your colleagues to carry your load for an extra 4 weeks each year on top of your holidays.

I have a colleague who is a single parent and I think she takes all her PL entitlement, plus her holidays, but the dad is not involved at all, so she has a lot of school holidays to cover.

Most parents in my company take some PL, but apart from the colleague already mentioned I don't think anyone takes all of it. If you can afford to do this though and your LM is okay with it, I don't see why you can't. It probably depends very much on the industry and the individual company though.

The team is a team of 8.

According to the gov website there is no distinction between large and small companies? It says it is an employee right to take up to 4 weeks per child unpaid per year to spend extra time with them.

They can postpone it to a more convenient date but they can't refuse it.

I haven't used any but plenty of people I work with have/do.

Just to mention in case anyone isn't aware you get a maximum of 18 weeks per child until they're 18 YO and you can take a maximum of 4 per child per year. If you (general) were to take 4 weeks per year it would run out after 4.5yrs.

I used it when I worked for the nhs. Took 3 weeks off per year in the summer for 3 years.

It's 18 weeks in total until they are 18, not 4 every year. I suspect they'll delay it and say you can only take a week at a time. Because it is a bit of a piss take.

I used one day when my ds was admitted to hospital with swine flu, aged 2. It was xmas eve.

Otherwise, no. It was regarded as for emergencies/poorly dcs only.

I would only want to take 1 week at a time anyway. I just want to use the 4 weeks whilst DC are young.

That isn't want unpaid parental leave is for. It can't be used as single days. It is designed for parents wanting to spend more time with their kids.

OP, as soon as your little ones go to nursery/rception, they will likely be struck down with every bug going. I suggest you save your PL for the days when your dcs are too poorly to go anywhere.

Is your partner willing and able to share sick-child-cover?

Yeah I only want to use it whilst DC are young to increase my time with them.

My DS already goes to nursery. He is constantly ill but never off nursery ( twice in 2 years)

That also isnt what unpaid parental leave is for. It has to be taken in whole weeks and is for spending more time with kids.

Do your employers mind? Are you serious? I'd assume majority of employers/managers only allow it because its legal. I can't imagine any would say 'yeah, that's great, its really helps the company, why don't the whole team just take un paid leave?'

Given its a very small team, you might find resentment from colleagues too who will know doubt have to pick up your work. Maybe some of them take time off too- who knows? Is your DH taking time off also or just you? You really need to actually get the job first, then see what flexibility you have.