Are teachers entitled to emergency parental leave?

[HeyThoughIWalk]

DH is a teacher. He's very conscientious, but I think he's being a bit TOO conscientious! Essentially, he doesn't think teachers are entitled to emergency parental leave under any circumstances. He had never heard of it, and said I was being ridiculous to suggest it.

The context for this was that I fell one day while out with the kids (3yo and baby). Realised I'd probably broken my arm, and would need to go to A&E. I also couldn't lift DD (baby), and had hit my head, and suddenly got very tired, so I was worried I'd faint while on my own with the kids (I had got us all home by this point).

DH was in work, but I knew that the afternoon was being spent with some theatre group who'd come in to work with them, so he was just supervising (with other teachers & assistants). The children were going home at 2, and then he was due to stay until 3. This all happened at lunch time, so I phoned him, explained what had happened, and asked whether he could come home early (there was no one else I could think of to call). This was firstly because I was worried I couldn't look after the kids (because I couldn't use 1 arm, and because I felt I could be about to pass out) and secondly so that I could go to A&E.

He said he couldn't; he had to stay until 3. I'd kind of understand if he was teaching his class all afternoon, but as I knew he was literally just sitting supervising, I had figured that it would be relatively easy for someone else to do that.

But in this case, should he be allowed to leave? Or is it just "not the done thing"?

Everyone is entitled to emergency leave if it’s an emergency. I cannot believe he left you with two kids a concussion and broken arm. That’s an emergency

Did he actually speak to the head? I find it really hard to believe he wouldn’t have been allowed to leave under those circumstances.

Of course he could leave. He’d have to ask permission but I’d be surprised if they said no.

Of course they are entitled to it. I would have been extremely pissed off if my dh hadn't come to help in the circumstances you describe

I am a teacher. When my DD's child minder was suspended, it was fortunately an INSET day so she came into school with me for the afternoon. The deputy head checked in the "burgundy book" and found out I could have one day off to sort alternative child care. That was about 10 years ago.

I’ve never been refused permission to leave in a true emergency - even the most uptight of heads usually realises there is life outside the school walls and waves you off with a “don’t worry about work, it’ll get sorted out”.

Oh wow. That's not being conscientious, that's being a dick. He made you get home with a broken? arm, baby and toddler and then wait for him to finish work before you could go to A&E!! Did he even take you?

I’m a teacher- I’ve had to leave work because the childminder has called to say DS is ill and once I had to go in late as I had woken up to a flooded living room so had to wait in for a plumber.

Of course teachers can have emergency leave, in emergencies! It’s totoally ridiculous that he left you in that situation and stayed at work. He could easily have come home, even if he has classes. He just needs to notify the head teacher than a genuine emergency has come up and he needs to leave work. I’m sure a colleague would cover for him!

Thanks everyone!

He didn't ask the head, no. Just said he couldn't leave.

On another occasion, I took a bad flu (like, couldn't lift my head from the pillow), and no one could come to help with DS - DH phoned in sick. He refused to phone in and say that he needed to stay at home because of childcare; he said they wouldn't accept that, so he lied and said he was sick.

It's nothing to do with his job and all to do with him being complete fucknugget.

How are you now OP?

He’s being a martyr. Under genuine emergency situations like that, heads should let you go.

Incidentally, I did eventually get someone to come round the day that I fell... in desperation, I texted my neighbour, on the off-chance that she was in. She wasn't, but her lovely mum (who I'd met once) was there, and came round to keep an eye on the kids with me.

We have something like two or three days we can take paid as emergency family leave for exactly this sort of thing. I dare say taking all three every year wouldn’t be the most welcomed thing but it’s there if need be. I’m sure other teachers will have similar in their pay and conditions.

@mildshock Fine now, thanks! The fall was a while ago; it was more that I was thinking about it today for some reason! My arm had a small fracture, but nothing too bad... head was fine once I'd slept for a bit!

Yes, we are allowed one day for emergency child care which is standard. After that it would be unpaid

We absolutely can take emergency leave. In my contract I am entitled to 5 days a year parental leave (for sick child etc) and also 5 days for emergencies. I have had to leave halfway through the day several times a year for sick children/accidents etc and my school have been nothing but supportive. In turn I have had to provide emergency cover for colleagues in these situations and am more than willing to help (middle leader). These things happen and we are humans with families not robots. Your DH is being completely unreasonable and a martyr.

How do you feel though that he unnecessarily puts his job ahead of you and your children. I can’t imagine anyone saying no in those circumstances

Why does he lie about having to take care of his children? Does he think he'll be viewed as not being serious about his career or is he embarrassed because childcare is 'womens' work?

If it's the latter then you've got serious problems. If it's the former then he needs to stop. It just perpetuates the idea that you can't be an effective employee and a parent at the same time. Which is bullshit and detrimental to women in the workplace.

Hope you're okay op

Happens all the time, teachers have children too and with children and families come emergencies. He’s being a dick.

I think he genuinely thinks he's not allowed time off, or he'll be sacked. When his mum died, he said "I think I should be allowed to get the full day off for the funeral, maybe even the day before as well". I told him he was being ridiculous and he'd be allowed a bit longer than that - in the event, the headmaster basically told him to take a fortnight off and not come back until he was ready. He just seems to never think he's entitled to anything, which is endearing sometimes, and utterly irritating at others!

We he's being a bit daft. No decent employer would each him for taking dependants leave - especially as it's most likely in his contract.

I'm a total workaholic and incredibly conscientious but I take leave to look after DS, DH or myself when needed and I've not been sacked yet! I work at a uni but I've left lectures part way through if I've had a call from nursery.

He's a dick. I'm a teacher and if there were any sort of issue/ urgent problem I would leave and be a decent parent. I can't imagine any situation where I wouldn't be allowed to go if I deemed it important enough.
In fact even if they said no I would still leave if I felt it was an emergency situation. At the end of the day they're hardly going to sack a decent teacher for a one off

*well
*Sack

He sounds like he is being ridiculous. Of course we can have time off.

I'm a teacher and have had to take a number of days off for my child when he has been sick. The first 5 days are paid and any after that are deducted from pay. That is ridiculous that he didn't come home early. There's is always someone who can cover. What if he started vomiting? He would have to go home then.