I know I’m not the only one in this situation but I’m panicking after meeting with my manager at lunchtime.
Lone parent to 11yo with additional needs. Live rurally and at other end of country from family.
NHS acute physiotherapist. I moved here and picked this job as it was Mon to Fri and school hours. My child goes to a holiday club during school breaks which is currently closed due to CV.
I’m apparently not an essential worker according to our school as not nursing or a doctor. If they do decide to permit children of essential workers to continue attending until Easter hols, mine won’t be included.
Applied for 2 weeks block of parental leave today. Manager refused it in writing ASAP due to “current service demands” and instead offered me alternative dates within 4 months, as per our local policy.
Can’t work from home as all my patients are inpatients.
Manager has basically said it’s up to me to arrange childcare alternatives. Because I can anticipate the schools closing, I won’t be given emergency dependents leave as I could have planned ahead for childcare given that I have had a few days notice about schools closing.
My child’s friends’ parents not wanting to babysit, understandably, due to my close contact with elderly patients everyday and the effect it might have on their families.
What can I do?
Oh. Annual leave also being refused at this time due to current service demands.