Am I entitled to time off when DC is ill?

[stegasaurus]

Background: DD is 10mo. I went back to work last month for the NHS. On Saturday night DH and I came down with D&V. DD is not ill yet, but I worry she could still come down with the same thing this evening.

DH and I are off work today because of being ill yesterday. DH says he isn't going in tomorrow either. I am next supposed to be at work on Wednesday, and, going on how I feel now, I expect to be well enough to go. But what if DD is ill? I will be able to look after her tomorrow, but she wouldn't be able to go to nursery on Wednesday whether she is better or not. Am I entitled to take Wednesday off if she is ill? If so, what is that reason for a day off officially called? She is still breastfed on days when I am not at work and I know that small frequent breastfeeds would be the best thing for her if she has D&V, but surely I shouldn't be able to get a day off for that reason as that wouldn't be fair on mothers whose 10mo aren't breastfed.

Another scenario: On Mondays DD is looked after by my in-laws if I am at work. Coincidentally MIL also came down with D&V on Saturday night. If we weren't ill today, in-laws wouldn't be able to look after her. I probably wouldn't have a back-up option. It would depend on what my mum is doing and how much notice we have as my mum doesn't live near us. Would I be entitled to time off in this scenario if I couldn't find anyone else to look after her?

This page may help you

No expert, but ime if you need to take time off to look after dc then you need to take the time off. However I am pretty confident that you will not get paid so it will be classed as unpaid leave. Unless you can wangle it as holiday.

If I was working and ds was ill I would have to take the time off as I don't have anyone to help me out. Chances are that dh would be working. I should think most parents would have to take time off work at some point to look after dc's.

In the NHS you are entitled to take emergency leave for someone who you have caring responsibilities for if the existing care arrangements fall through at short notice. In other words, if your DC is sick and cannot go to nursery then one of the parents will need to look after your child - either yourself or your DH. If you are BF your DC still it would make sense that you take the time off. Usually it would be called carers leave but that would be down to your manager to decide. You are not entitled to the time off simply because your DC is ill - you are entitled to the time to care for him. Hope that makes sense.

Should have said - NHS employees are usually entitled to 6 days pro rata paid time in a 12 month period for emergency caring responsibilities. Still would be down to manager to authorise paid time off. First line is to tell them you are unable to work, second line would be to negotiate whether it is paid or not later.

You are legally entitled to unpaid leave, in an emergency, to arrange alternative care.

Tou may have other contractual entitlement, but that will depend on your specific employer.