Time off for dependants amidst COVID

[LalaDipsey]

Hi - I am worrying as I have 3 children across 2 schools and am a teacher. I have had no time off due to my children's illnesses over the past 3 years as I have amazing parents who have always stepped in at short notice to take care of them if they've been poorly.

However - if one of my children's bubbles is closed down due to COVID (which, let's face it is going to happen) and they need to self isolate for 2 weeks I cannot ask my parents to looks after them as they are over 75 and I cannot put them at risk.

Our staff policy is maximum 3 days off per year for dependants - is there a law change for COVID which means I am able to be at home to look after my self isolating children if needs be without risking disciplinary procedure?

Thank you

You could apply for leave without pay, while being in mind that LWOP means you don't have to set cover.

But then how will I pay my bills?

What does your head say about this? They know it’s going to happen - if not to you, to other teachers.

I'm going to ask - but I wondered if there was any legislation to protect employees from COVID related absences first.

I have just asked my finance person at school this. She said it's a grey area. That you could take a parental leave day (s) and the rest would be unpaid. Not happy.

Problem is the school has the pay supply so their budget will be killed if lots of teachers off and they had to pay twice. Not your fault I think a lot of parents will end up having to take unpaid leave by their employer. Some teachers will be able to teach via Teams.

And of course, people who WFH don't have to worry about going unpaid. Just another way in which key workers have become servants to the greater good.

We will be paid - I got the union rep to check. Luckily my partner can WFH, but it won't be easy for the two of them - lots of screen time I expect.

Thank you! Am in primary so not quite so easy to teach through Teams.
It seems like there's not a consistent approach yet, and hoping there will be.

Just to clarify - did the union say that all teachers will be paid if they need to be at home because their child's bubble has been shut down and the child is too young to be at home alone?

Thank you I'm a single mum and their dad doesn't have much involvement so with my parents unable to help due to their age I feel quite worried.