This is clearly unreasonable but what do I do now?

[Flexibilityofapavingslab]

DS has a problem with his ear, we’ve been to the GP and it hasn’t resolved.

I’ve managed to get a hospital appointment but it’s some 45 minutes away, with hindsight I know what work are like about time off and I should have called in sick. But I thought because it was health related and for a young child I’d be granted the time off.

They have said no, it’s a school. They just keep saying to rearrange in holiday time or after school.

I think if I lie it could be a disciplinary - I feel so conflicted.

Ffs 30 minutes? That’s a joke. What an arsebif a head.

Arse of

You have a right to unpaid emergency parental leave (even if your employer is a school) - have a google.

Do you have colleagues who could cover whatever you do for the last 30 minutes of the day? Offer to work your lunch? Something like that.

What will be the consequence if you tell them you are going anyway? A written warning? Personally I'd take it and then complain to the governors. It's outrageous that the head won't let you take your child to a medical appointment.

If you just need 30 minutes at the end of the day they are being very unreasonable. That should be granted for a medical reason. Go back to them and explain that it’s essential, it is at the end of the day and you’re going to do it. Ask how they would like you to take the leave.

It doesn’t matter, they won’t, which is why I’m just honestly unsure what I can do.

I don’t want a formal warning but I don’t see what I can do.

30 mins? Wow, that's harsh of them. Can you offer to make the 30 mins up another time?

As a governor I would want the head to let you go. Or you might resign. The HT is trying to balance the school remaining operational and the number of staff currently off with Covid might be impacting that. Is there really no one else in the school that can cover you for 30 minutes? Is there no father to take the child? If you haven't been unreasonable in the past then I would be taking this higher as it seems very difficult for your son to not go to the appointment for the sake of 30 minutes. Also speak to your union.

OP. Are you in a union? What is your position in the school, teaching or non-teaching? Do you have a family friendly, or similar policy?

I spent many years as a union rep and I would be speaking to the head about this. I cannot see how you needing to take a child to a medical appointment would result in a disciplinary.

Go sick still.

They cannot prove that you aren’t sick so can’t sanction you.

Yeh it will be obvious what you are doing but they can’t prove it.

@CantStandMeCow

Unpaid leave is usually by request to the governors. Annual leave doesn’t work like that in schools - it’s holidays only. Usually a head would be quite good about minimal emergency leave - are they usually like this?

I would maybe email the head to say something along the lines of, due to the urgency of this I am going to need to request emergency leave from the governors, could you please provide me with the email for the chair of the governors?

Even if it’s very easily available. I think that might get them to reconsider.

Are you in a union? Call them for advice if you are. If not you could try ACAS www.acas.org.uk/

For the sake of 30 mins at the end of a day, your head is being very unreasonable. I'm not sure if you have the right to the time or not. You need some proper advice on that. Otherwise, you'll just have to rearrange and start looking for a new job!

I have been put in a similar position by a head I worked for. My DH ended up having to take the child to the appointment when it was his 2nd day in a new job which was far from ideal, although he normally did all the appointments just because it is so hard when you work in a school. It is ironic how schools can be so uncaring about children's welfare when it comes to staff time off!

@BeHappy91818

Go sick still.

They cannot prove that you aren’t sick so can’t sanction you.

Yeh it will be obvious what you are doing but they can’t prove it.

Don't do this.

@Flexibilityofapavingslab

It is at the end of the day but because it takes a while to get there I’d need to leave about 30 mins early.

Have they given an explanation as to why or just said no?

How much notice did you get of the hospital appointment? I've never had one with less than about a weeks notice before and that's unusual.

Yabu if the issue is that you could have told them earlier and haven't.

Can DC father not do it?

Schools can't get supply teachers for love nor money atm. However given it's only 30 mins at the end of the day I would have thought there might be some way to sort it

It’s nothing to do with cover, I’m not teaching. They are just very insistent that all appointments must be made outside school hours.

30 mins? They are quibbling about 30 mins? That's awful.

Are there any part time staff who could be persuaded to cover those 30 mins for you as a favour? Harder for the head to refuse if you've arranged your own cover x

No cover is needed, I’m not teaching.

Could the child's other parent take them, if there is one?

Seek your union's advice today. Ultimately you should go, but follow the steps that your union advises first and put everything in emails you can save.

@Flexibilityofapavingslab

It’s nothing to do with cover, I’m not teaching. They are just very insistent that all appointments must be made outside school hours.

It sounds like they're just being awkward for the sake of it.

Is there anyone who can cover for you?

Normally DH would be able to help but he’s actually abroad that week so can’t.

@Flexibilityofapavingslab

Thanks. I’ve actually had quite a lot of time off but it’s because I’ve had covid twice. So had to isolate.

If I rearrange I’ll be waiting another 2 weeks and reluctant to do that really.

This is why your head has said no