DD unwell, had to take a day off, works reaction..

[Raincloud997]

I am a single parent and have limited childcare. My DD is in reception and was unwell today so couldn't go back in to school today after the half term. I had to ring up. My manager sounded very annoyed on the phone and said they have other staff off too, said she is struggling for cover and that I really must try and make it in tomorrow and that someone else will have to look after my DD. She also sighed before putting down the phone. I don't have a lot of time off at all, this is the first time its happened and my contract states they allow for emergency parental leave but her reaction has got me worried and I don't think I have childcare for tomorrow if she is no better by morning. What would ou do?

It’s clear but people here will pretend they don’t understand. I’m surprised at the level of entitlement.

Maybe if you can see tour dd is going to still be unwell tomorrow why don't you give manager a call today with a heads up informing them that you will probably be off tomorrow as you cannot get childcare and just wanted to let you know as it may give you more time to get cover, I have done this and they appreciate it, also. They do treat mean to keep keen and it works.

That is disgusting, how dare they treat you in this way.
Your priority is your child and it's their job to deal with work .
No babysitter is going to look after an unwell child , obviously they don't have kids and have people to help them ,alot of people don't and you are doing the right thing.
Hope she is better soon .
Honestly sounds like we have the same manager.

She got the day off!
If we are at the stage where a sigh is considered "disgusting", there's really no hope.
Treat her what way exactly??

Well then that would not also be a problem for them employer but the school as well. Not many fit healthy dc have that many days off do they? Mine haven't had near that many in all their years of going to school. Eldest has has consecutive years of 100% attendance. Youngest the odd day here or there.

I'm surprised at the level of make believe but here we are.

You’ve clearly been on the KoolA1d lol. I support responsible parenting. You can laugh but that’s what it takes for many to stay in work - I’m guessing that you’ve not connected to that yet?

While I would never advocate going back to how things are when I was first a working mum in the early 1990s, with six weeks of maternity pay an no flexibility whatsoever, this thread is a sobering reminder that whatever generosity and/or rights someone is given, it's not enough and they think they are entitled to more.

Always seems to be women bosses who act like this.

Haha you have no idea what I do. And if I was (I'm not) what the hell does that have to do with anything. Jesus christ

Well tbh @ButterCrackers and @K0OLA1D given the time you’re spending arguing on mumsnet about it on a Tuesday afternoon at 3.30pm, i would reckon on neither of you doing much work

I wasn't working today. Back in tomorrow.

And again... not sure what me working or not has to do with anything?

Bugger all

I just chuckled at the argument you two spending so much time having!

What's considered reasonable in terms of absence will vary from employer to employer. The length of time supported and whether it's paid or unpaid will probably vary with employers and differing circumstances. Obviously the OP can't be expected to magic up support and will be reluctant to leave a sick child in an emergency illness situation.

However it's certainly not reasonable in general to expect illness of a child to be supported with pay for more than a very short period of time, and if there were frequent absences the capacity of the employee to do their job would be called into question. There's no suggestion that this is the case here.

Who here has demanded more rights or entitlement?

Same to you - post reported.

A sad state of affairs if people view taking a day off with a sick child as entitled. Why on earth wouldnt people be all for improved flexibility and rights for people? Not just for childcare but for those with other caring responsibilities etc- surely rather than being a corporate bootlicker this should be aspirational?

Because people are paid to do a job, not paid to be at home looking after children, parents, pets or anything else.
Yes, some flexibility can be expected, but there absolutely are some entitled posters on here who seem to think they can just duck in and out of work when it suits their lives and their colleagues should pick up the slack.
And their manager should be perfectly happy to hear another person hasn't got childcare sorted.
And their employer should 'suck up' paying for a temporary replacement as well as the absent parent's wage or else they shouldn't be running a business apparently.
I find it quite bizarre actually.

Paying for a temp replacement? That sounds a bit hyperbolic for a day off with a sick child. I don't find it bizarre that people have a life outside of work, supporting people with these is something employers should find a way to do; not just relating to a sick child but also for other life events and caring responsibilities. Theres a big difference between people taking the mick and never being in and taking a day or two when its unavoidable. And no, a business isnt sustainable if it cant absorb a member of staff having a day off.

That's what someone said should happen many, many posts ago 😀

Responsible parenting like looking after one’s children when they’re poorly; responsible parenting like keeping them away from their peers when they’re contagious.

Equally surprised at all these posts suggesting a baby sitter . I understand your anxiety about your job I've been in a similar situation. Put bubba first and know there are laws that protect employees dont be scared or worried to take necessary time off. A company needs to have a contingency for these things. Remember to them you are just a number . Noone is going to roll out the red carpet for you making the sacrifice to come in to work when your kid is ill. Don't break your back for work you have a genuine need to stay put. Your manager wasn't being professional expressing frustration even if it is internally annoying for her. If you were taking the pics regularly would be different. Remember most people stay in jobs because of the company culture and their bosses , so make sure its serving you well and Remember you have a life before work. Work pays the bills but it's not going to go away because of a frustrated mgr

Go on. Which posters. Find the posts which state all of what you've just stated 'these posters' have said?