Employment rights help!!

[Pumpkinandpeas]

I work as a carer, in contact with a lot of people mostly with learning disabilities and unfortunately their personal hygiene isnt great and I can't say the staff that care for them is much better.

Last year I was really poorly with pneumonia, currently have a heavy cold and cough (self isolating just in case) and I live alongside a family member with chronic asthma and have a young child.

If I were to take unpaid leave from work where do I stand? Would I likely lose my job? Just feeling very vulnerable right now and want to keep myself and family as safe as possible.

Bumping for you OP.

It will depend what it says in your contract, then sick and holiday pay policy (do you have holiday you can take?).

Have you looked on the ACAS website? They're usually helpful for employment advice.

Aren't all parents entitled to 4 weeks unpaid parental leave?

Thanks will get in touch with ACAS and see where I stand. Worrying thing is I'm in my probation and have no holiday entitlement

Aren't all parents entitled to 4 weeks unpaid parental leave?

Yes but you usually have to give notice (21 days I believe) and whilst it cant be declined it can be postponed if the leave doesnt meet the needs of the business... I doubt anyone in health care will be getting it granted in the next few months.

You should accrue annual leave. Is there any policy for leave for personal responsibilities? If you are self isolating that is supposed to be sick leave.

Worrying thing is I'm in my probation and have no holiday entitlement sad

Unfortunately I think the reality is that you dont really have much of a leg to stand on. They can get rid of you for basically any reason that isnt discrimination based on protected characteristics in the first 2 years. If you take unpaid leave and they want to sack you then they basically can.

I’m afraid in your probation period they can get rid of you for pretty much any reason, and can give any/no reason for it. So even if you hand in a sick note to cover your off period, they could still fire you for an ‘unsatisfactory’ probation period