Are you allowed carers leave for this??

[CalmFawn]

My DD is 5. She’s had a small lump on her face for a few months that the GP said was a cyst but it’s grown suddenly and we’ve found out this week it’s a tumour. She needs to have some tests and scans over the next few weeks and the date for removal is in 2 weeks.

am I allowed any carers leave for this? My boss says no as it’s not an emergency as it’s ’pre booked’ but I think a tumour is quite a big thing?! And the only reason it’s not being removed asap as they need to do other tests first. I’m not allowed to take annual leave or unpaid leave as it’s August and fully booked

should I accept that I can’t take any leave?

im waiting to hear back from HR but though I’d ask here to see if anyone has any opinions

I work for the nhs but can’t find the trust policies online

thank you

Err this. I really don't say it lightly but it must be distressing and hard. Your boss sounds like a dick. In this situation l would be way more understanding.

In our company carers leave is managers discretion. Your manager is disgustingly quite frankly. Go off sick with stress. Get a doctors note.

does your boss have kids?

Ex-NHS Manager hereand it would not be eligible for Carers leave as others have said. NHS managers don’t always have the freedom to be flexible alas. I would have agreed annual leave though even if it’s a struggle for the team as if you go off sick they may have a lack of staff for longer ! Really hope all will be ok x

Thanks everyone, you’ve all been really helpful.

I never considered sick leave but it is a definite option if HR don’t have any other suggestions. I’ve worked in my team for 11 years and I’ve yet to take a sick day so I don’t think it would trigger any warnings.

my manager does have adult children and really annoyingly uses carers leave to take them to pre arranged hospital appointments for diabetes at least twice a month. Unsure how she can do that with an adult children and this doesn’t count but i think im going to have to let that go or ill open a huge can of worms 😂

Oh gosh, they sound very unfeeling.
I hope everything is ok.

That’s actually infuriating.

And so unfair x

Carer’s leave isn’t just for children, I would have got it if my husband had been rushed to hospital with a stroke, just not for a pre-planned procedure. Again, read your policies, they may be different for every organisation (I have read mine).

its pretty crap not to get any leave approved in these circumstances. I would asked to be signed off with stress (and that's something I don't suggest usually).

I think I would ask to speak to HR, explain the situation and ask their advice.
There is a new national Carers leave which allows you up to 5 days a year unpaid to deal with just this sort of thing, supporting a dependent with appointments etc. I would expect a staff member to use this or emergency annual leave but I would make sure they were there with their child when they needed to be

As almost everyone else has said, get signed off. Fingers crossed your lovely dd is back on her feet soon, look after yourself too.
My boss wouldn’t hesitate to authorise carers leave for a scenario such as this, we get 2 full weeks then there is additional discretionary paid carers leave depending on the circumstances.