Can my employer stop people taking unpaid leave as it creates too much paperwork for them?

[Peppaontheceiling]

My employer is muttering about cracking down on odd days of unpaid leave as they say it creates too much paperwork for them? Is this allowed?

I have to use odd day of unpaid leave when the kids are sick (5 & 4) as my annual leave won't cover all the days I need off throughout the year. Although I have also used whole weeks of unpaid parental leave but that is booked way in advance.

I would assume that odd days of unpaid leave would be mostly for childcare emergencies anyway so it seems harsh on people that really need it, I can't imagine anyone asking for unpaid as they fancy a day at the beach .

If unpaid leave is banned I would only have the choice of lying and calling in sick myself and have I never done that and woud hate to add to my sickness record which is pretty good.

I don't think they can ban dependents leave which is essentially leave to cover emergencies with close family.

They can legitimately stop people requesting unpaid leave for holidays though I would have thought.

I don't think we have 'dependents leave' (although I will check).

They're a bit crap with the work / life balance though, heaven knows where this will take us!

gov't info here

Thanks!