To not go into work

[Scousebird26]

Hi,
My little boy is quite poorly and we have to go to hospital to get him checked.
When he’s ill he always wants mummy so I really don’t want to leave him tomorrow to go to work. The only thing is I’m still on probation, can they hold this against me?

Thank you xx

Sorry, but yes this won't look good. But of course it depends how ill he is.
Can your mum handle it? Is this likely to be an ongoing thing? If so I'd let him go with her and save the time/goodwill of the company for later.

@crosspelican - actually a big organisation can sometimes be fairer in these circumstances because they'll apply all policies fairly. A manager will usually have discretion before HR jump in firing someone over a few days of absence in any event, hiring people is expensive and employment is long term. The manager can at least request an extension to probation rather than letting them go. It really depends on the person's role, the illness with likelihood of it being a regular event and many other factors.

Can you talk to your line manger before you make a decision?

I started working when my company was a start up and everyone on hand was needed. But my line manger, COO and CEO were parents of young children and they were all so nice and understanding and wouldn't have thought twice about me prioritising DS. The company's grown into a medium sized company since and is very family friendly.

Some companies are made up of very decent people. It's worth chatting to your line manger to see where things stand.

If he’s at the point of having to go to hospital, YANBU. It’s not like it’s a little cold or sick bug.

Ah the joys of trying to balance work with children. I would stay off as well, but unfortunately during probation things can stack up. It's a balance of I obviously want to be with my child, and I need a job to pay the bills and keep a roof over their head. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon so it's only a day or 2.

If hes not actually in hospital you'd be better to go in, explain the situation and ask to do a shorter day. You have your mum who can do childcare, I would absolutely utilise her. If you take time off for this and then God-forbid you end up I'll at some point too you could fail probation.

I get it, I'm a working parent too and it feels dreadful leaving when they are poorly, but they are fine with my MIL and she is more than capable of taking care of them for me, even if I would like to be the one doing it.