Help! Can't take parental leave and at a loss what else to do.

[happymschicken]

I'm in need of some urgent advice.

I'm currently employed on a 6 month contract with the NHS, which ends in January.

Due to a mix up in personnel, I was allocated too much holiday so I have no wriggle room if my DS becomes ill.I currently have the boss from hell who has no time for sick children or childcare issues even though I always try and make up any time I've had off.

My DS is really poorly at the moment and I had to take yesterday off to care for him. He is still too sick to go his CMs and my DH is away at the moment. I can't possibly go into work but legally I don't know where I stand.

I haven't been working long enough to get parental leave and I'm more than happy to take the time off unpaid but I know when I call today I'm going to face a battle of epic proportions.

Although I've only got a month left on my contract I don't want to leave under a cloud but at the same time my DS comes first and I don't really see what option I ahve but to stay at home with him.

I can make up the day off yesterday by going in on my day off but I won't be able to make the time off if I don't go in today.

How do I handle my manager? Suggest I take today off unpaid and if she kicks up a fuss offer to finish my contract early?

I would speak to HR/Personnel,before your line manager if poss. Do they know about their holiday error? Just explain that it has left you with no wriggle room and ask to take today unpaid. Assume your contract will have been sorted out (albeit badly) by them, rather than your line manager?

Good luck and hope DS feels better soon.

Tbh, this job has been a bit of a disaster from day one. I found out I was pregnant a few weeks into the job and then had awful MS which had me bed bound for several weeks.

It's just been one thing after another and I've tried my best to be as flexible as possible but I think she's losing patience with me. I think we'll both be glad when the contract ends in Jan but I still want to be as accommodating and professional as possible.

I wil check with HR and see what the position is. Many thanks.

Sounds like you've had a rotten time. If you can get to speak to someone reasonable in HR, I would say something similar to what you said here, ie it's all been a bit. Of a nightmare, but you are being as professional and flexible as you can be and would appreciate their 'guidance' (a bit of flattery never hurts!) in dealing with the current issue (ie being off today). That way someone more objective hears your 'side', which may help re future references/contracts (I'm guessing you don't want to bail out now mainly for those reasons?).

TBH, given the way your line manager sounds, I might ask them to tell her what's happening as it doesn't sound like you've anything to lose and it saves you a confrontation you don't need today!

Best of luck!

It's been a very stressful experience but as I won't be getting any maternity pay except MA, I've need to work for as long as possible.

Thankfully I've only got a month to go.

I've just received an email from the temp manager saying applying for emergency leave is not that 'straightforward' - whatever that means! I've got to the point now where I often feel like quitting as it's really not worth the stress for some poxy short tem contract. It's only needing the money and still having a sense of professionalism that's stopped me so far.

I think you asking for the wrong kind of leave. I think that what you need to ask for is 'time off for dependants' leave and not 'parental leave'.

See www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3235 and www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1637.

I think you ARE asking!

Cross posts, hope you get something sorted out.