AIBU - work and sick child dilemma

[sunshine11]

This is the last week of my p/t job (I work mon-weds) and today should be the second day of handover to my replacement. However, my son has been ill all weekend with tonsillitis and I don't think should go into school today as still feverish.

I feel apprehensive about letting my boss know I will be off because of the impact on him/the organisation/the new person and also he will put pressure on me to work some days next week.

I've been there 28 months. After month 12 my boss moved me from a paye situation to that of a freelancer which meant I lost pension and holiday but got a slightly higher rate of pay (still terrible as it's a charity). At no time during my time there have I had an employment contract. As a freelancer I'm still expected to be there out of hours on some of the events the organisation runs albeit it's frowned on for me to charge for this additional time.

As you can maybe tell I am keen to move on, hence my leaving. I'm actually starting freelancing in my own right so already have work to move onto although hours not set in stone in the way they would be if it were a new job. Aibu to refuse to do any extra hours to make up the missed hours today? Or should I do it as a gesture of goodwill?

Surely if you are a free lancer you can pick your own hours to some extent, especially if you don't want to work for the charity again.

No don't do it. You're not getting any goodwill back.

Your company taking the piss aside, are ypu a single parent? Because if not is there a reason why your OH couldn't take the day off?

Given that they may have broken HR law to avoid paying contributions/holiday on your behalf, I'm not sure you owe them much.

That said, will you need them as a reference until you are properly established?

One way or another, if your child is too sick to go in, they'll have to manage without you today. Whether you offer another day instead really should come down to the balance of how they take it, what they say and how much you may need their good words about you in future.

Not a single parent but OH is the breadwinner and works in London. He is able to wfh tomorrow but has meetings scheduled today.

I'd you are not under contract, stick to your guns.

I assume you won't be paid if you don't go in today? Surely you might as well do the extra day both for goodwill and the money? Can you do it this week instead of next?

All has worked out well - working from home and skypeing with the newbie.