to think my work sickness record shouldn't include time off to care for sick children?

[Shamalamalam]

I've had 3 incidents of sickness in a year so have to have a meeting tomorrow.

I've actually only had 3 days and only 1 of them was me, but they're considered to be separate incidents so I have to go and explain myself.

I've had 1 day with a d&v bug.

The week before last DD2 had a horrible bug - DH normally covers when the kids are off school sick as he can work from home, but he had a couple of things he couldn't miss so we shared it between us.

She was sent home early Monday - DH picked her up. I was at home with her Tuesday, DH did Wednesday and Thursday, I was off again with her on Friday. Because I went back in on the Weds and Thurs, they consider it to be 2 separate incidents even though it was the same illness

I get paid sick pay, but I don't get paid when off with the children.

I thought that type of emergency leave when dealing with sick children was different to my own sick leave but they've lumped it all together.

So, aibu to think it's been recorded incorrectly and that my sickness record shouldn't include unpaid leave to care for sick kids

Thanks!

[Shamalamalam]

Thanks all!

I'm only assuming they've lumped it all in on my sick record as the letter is talking about sick leave, not general absence, so I'll see what they say tomorrow.

when a child is sick the care should be provided by a parent surely?

Well, yes, I agree. We don't have anyone else to care for them if they're sick anyway. I had spoken to my boss about it during the week and he was fine about it

As I say, it's usually DH and they've not had a lot of time off anyway so this is the first time I've had to take time off to care for them.

They work it out over a rolling year, so it's 3 days in a year (well, actually 3 days in the whole 3 years I've been there) not 3 days this year. My sick day was June last year, then 2 days the week before last

It does really piss me off that I don't get paid for overtime, but I do get docked for this kind of leave then have to go and explain myself, but that's by the by.

[LunaLoveg00d]

when a child is sick the care should be provided by a parent surely

Maybe, but it's a balance between caring for a child and your obligations to your employer. Some kids are ill all the time - one tummy bug after the other, colds, coughs, chicken pox etc etc etc.

The emergency leave gives you a day off to sort out alternative arrangements such as a neighbour, auntie, granny etc.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I expect your problem will be that whatever they've recorded it as - unpaid leave or parental leave or whatever - is not exempt from absence management, so it's affecting your record.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

in my workplace 3 incidents of sickness puts you on an alert, it is not meant to be punitive, it is meant to flag you up so manager can monitor any subsequent illnesses / sick days. Its mainly to see if there is a pattern to it so for example if its every other monday after a few too many over the weekend they might conclude you have an issue with alcohol and offer support for that or it its a recurring illness then maybe there are things they can do at work to help, if its a back problem for example they could do an assessment, refer you to occupational health, get you a new chair etc etc. Most people however do think they are in trouble when put on watch.

[Marynary]

It seems really unfair that you need to explain yourself when you have had only one day of sickness in three years. I don't see why time off to look after sick children should be added on considering that you weren't paid for it. I also don't see why the number of absences would count for parental leave rather than the total number of days.
I wouldn't want to work for a company like this and I'm not surprised that you want to move on.

[OllyBJolly]

I don't see why time off to look after sick children should be added on considering that you weren't paid for it

Because the employer has to cope with unplanned lack of resource. Very few companies operate with any slack these days; unplanned absence is a huge headache. It's also unfair to the other employees who have to take on the workload.

I do think employers should be flexible, but employees have to be flexible too. Not having backup childcare isn't an employer problem, it's for the working parents to resolve.

[Caravanoflove]

How did you get on OP?

[Shamalamalam]

Sorry, I meant to update this earlier

It was fine, once they'd realised they'd coded my absences for DD incorrectly.

I shouldn't have been called for a meeting at all as the absences are treated differently so all sorted

[Marynary]

Because the employer has to cope with unplanned lack of resource. Very few companies operate with any slack these days; unplanned absence is a huge headache. It's also unfair to the other employees who have to take on the workload.

Yes but if it is unpaid it should count as parental leave rather than "sick leave" and it shouldn't be counted when considering sick leave absence.

[lifesalongsong]

Good news, glad it's resolved