Baby in hospital - need time off work

[Aliroro]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had some advice.

I have three young children and one of my babies is currently unwell in hospital- we could be there any time between 1 week and 8 weeks with the current diagnosis.

I work in the public sector and have been told that my options are to take unpaid carers leave for 1 week followed by annual leave. Once my annual leave runs out I can take unpaid leave. I’m not really sure what to do, we can’t afford to lose my salary right now having recently returned to work from Mat leave. My husband has already used all of his carers leave this week. I suppose I could use annual leave but I guess I feel uneasy about taking all of my ‘rest time’ (or just required time off for other childcare over the year) and it won’t last 8 weeks so I would quite possibly end up in unpaid leave which we cannot afford.

what do people do in this situation? I know being signed off work is a possible option but I just don’t know what to say. Obviously this is a very stressful period but also I’m not unwell in bed at home, I’m just spending my time rushing between home childcare for a toddler and baby and hospital care for another baby. We don’t have any help or family able to support us.

Any advice welcome!

I would just go off sick, stress of course. I hope your baby is recovering soon

I’d take sick leave. Your stressed get signed off with that

See your gp and get signed off sick with stress

As others say, go to your gp and get signed off. Hope all is okay.

I agree, in your case sick leave due to stress. Any decent GP will agree. I've been there myself a few years back. You will need all your energy for your DC, not worring about finances & work.

Hopefully LO is better soon.

If you have asked about paid dependents/compassionate leave / paid emergency leave or special leave and been denied I’m afraid you have been told your options. Legally you get:

1. Up to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave
2. A reasonable amount of time off, unpaid, as emergency time off for dependents
3. Statutory sick pay - if you decide you are too stressed to work due to the situation
4. Neonatal Care Leave - if baby was admitted at under 28 days old (this is a new thing so check it applies to you)

Well if you’re not stressed now, you soon will be.

I hope your LO gets well soon 💐

Up to 8 weeks sounds like a pretty significant diagnosis. It would not be surprising if you were too stressed to safely work.

You get signed off with stress.

I hope your baby gets better soon.

If you worked for me I’d advise you to get signed off sick (stress). A long time ago, my friend was in a similar position and that’s what her headteacher advised her to do.

signing off sick sounds like the answer.

My daughter lost her job because of taking time off as above - parental leave, annual leave, unpaid leave. Her employment was taken over by new owner and she was 'forced out'.

Her daughter (DGD) spent 17 wks in hospital last year and is on course for a similar amount this year.

It's an impossible situation to be in - there's no support for these circumstances.

'Going off sick is an option'

Girl, go off sick! Your job don't care about your precious baby

Wish you all well and your baby a swift recovery ❤️

Really feel for you OP! Leave arrangements for situations like this really isn't as good as it should be.You shouldn't have to be taking time off unpaid when you are under so much pressure and stress already without needing financial challenges aswell.
You shouldn't really have to go 'off sick' either but ultimately if that's the only way you can be off and still be paid then its understandable for you to go down that route!

And hoping your little one recovers quickly- sounds a scary time for you all.

I work in HR. If you contacted me I would suggest you go to your GP and asked to be sighed off sick. I have often followed up with an email stating this for staff to show their GP.

I believe you should not be attempting to work and save your annual leave for when baby is recovered and you can spend some quality time as a family.

Wishing you all the best.