Working from home whilst looking after children

[cabbagequeen]

Can my employer make me take parental leave?

From Monday like a lot of people I am going to be working from home whilst looking after my 3 primary school age children. I'm not a keyworker (DH is so not around to help) - can my employer make me take extended parental leave? Not sure of the legal situation at all as there is no childcare to be had at this time (normally have a nanny but she is on maternity leave). I do 22.5 hours a week so was hoping to fit it in somehow...

I'm in a similar position and I think you can manage to get 22.5 hours in.
I make them breakfast and then retire to my bed office.
I work on my laptop till lunch time then we eat, play and then do a little school work until tea time.

It works out ok.

A lot of people will be in the same position, so I’m guessing you’ll just have to do the best you can and employers will have to accept that productivity may drop somewhat. And a lot of kids will be getting a lot more screen time than usual...

Speak with your manager about what's realistic. Mine has been brilliantly supportive and accepted that my hours will look wonky but will be done as will all of my work.

There's thousands of us in the same position so the company accept that slightly skewed productivity is far better than losing a substantial number of the workforce for an un-plannable amount of time.

The government have asked employers to be more flexible, so they should allow you to spread your hours across the week which should be very doable with primary age kids.

I’m in a similar position, although my youngest is 2 so no chance of really working with him around. I only do a three day week normally and so I’m going to get it done during nap times and In the evenings. My boss was fine with that, In the circumstances!

I'm in a similar position. I need to work around 35-40 hours, and so does DH. From next week we both have to do this from home with a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old!! I just don't know how we'll manage it!! So sorry no advice but you're certainly not alone!

My employer spoke to me a few days ago and I suggested that me and DH would be doing shifts.

So I'm basically only available to work 10am-2pm and 5.30pm-11pm

DH has told the opposite to his employer, he is available 6am-10am and 2pm-5.30pm, then after 8.30pm if needed.

I'm going to have to work at home with a 3 & 8yo. Normally do 32hrs, going to try to do 20ish and use annual leave for the rest. Now idea how it will work.. I don't think they can force you to use parental leave.

Single parent with a two year old ... luckily he goes to sleep at 6pm ish so I plan to work an hour or so to have catch up meetings whilst my son eats breakfast - then do my actual working once he's asleep. I'm going to end up knackered but oh well. I am in the high risk group and my employer is being pretty flexible so I will do it

I've been working from home all week with 2 primary aged kids in the house and its very difficult to be honest. I have to be available for calls between 8.30 and 5pm so not much flexibility in it. Towards the end of the week i was taking a lot more breaks as we were told family comes first by one of the directors obviously the only one with young children.

Have I misunderstood? Is your DH a key worker? If he is, your children can go to school.

My client (financial services) has a very hard line on employees working from home whilst looking after children, especially young children. It was frowned up

All this has been relaxed now as they understand these are unusual times and allowances must be made to keep us all going

Similar set up. My plan is to do an hour before kids get up. An hour when DH gets home and a couple hours once kids are in bed. That gets me 20hrs and the other couple of hours will be phone calls and stuff during office hrs.
TBH I fully expect the country will be on lockdown key workers only out the house by Tuesday so will see how it all works then.

If DH is a key worker then your children should be able to go to school if you're desperate. If at all possible though keep them at home.

I would go for fresh air and exercise in the morning. Get out if you can. Wear them out. Lunch. Set them up with their school work if they're old enough to do it independently for a bit. Then screen time/a movie and playtime in the afternoon while you work.

I’m planning on sitting my child at my desk and working nicely side by side, taking break times at usual school times, giving him the afternoons to play.

Toseland that sounds ideal if your child is older and won't need much help. My youngest is 3 so my odds of getting much done while watching him is practically nil.

It is unusual times but still don’t think your employer is unreasonable to say you can’t do the job while looking after 3 children that young. Mine won’t with pre-secondary children I think through duty of care to the children (ie they consider it neglect). If you can fit it in when they’re asleep or your partner is at home though don’t see the problem. I don’t think you can send them to school because your partner is a key worker though.

Guidelines are that only children where both parents are keyworkers should go to school. And unless absolutely necessary don't send them.
The list of key workers is extensive.
Op I'm working from home now. Started last week but my children were still in school. Lucky mine are all secondary school. But it will still be a challenge

You can only do your best. My employer is now allowing us to work our hours at home anytime between 6am and 10pm 7 days a week so people with children remaining working. Either work early or late. Do a couple of hours while they watch a film. Let them lie in and work then. That kind of thing.