Parental leave

[Tuesdays]

I took my son to a hospital appointment (his first) this morning. I worked from home before the appointment and was in work before lunchtime, yet my manager is insisting that because I went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago, I have to take half a day's holiday today to cover both absences. A man in my office took this afternoon off to have his car washed. Am I being unreasonable in being angry? I work for a large utility company.

There's no right to paid time off for this type of thing unfortunately. There is right to unpaid time off for emergencies. So your manager can't make you take holiday, but could say that the time you weren't working is unpaid.

But, if they're letting people take time off to wash their cars, I would certainly be taking that up with your manager. Are you sure, sounds a bit odd?

I think you should check what your HR policy/contract is on this one. At my workplace I could ask for paid leave but it does not have to be granted. I would not get given time off for the dentist though, would have to use holiday or flexitime so you may be pushing your luck!

Yabu. Why should the company pay you not to be there? Serious question.

I don't expect paid leave - I offered to make the time up. Bear in mind that on Monday I had to go to a meeting in another office 150 miles away and got home 3 hours after my normal time. Other people in my office have flexitime but my manager says he 'can't be bothered to keep track' so we're not allowed it and yes, the guy behind me takes time off to wash his car, have his hair cut, go out for breakfast as well as lunch and gets away with it as his manager is rarely in the office.

If i were you i'd keep a personal record of additional hours worked and if it's company policy to grant toil I'd go over your managers head.