Employer addressing me taking day off with sick child

[solveproblem]

I've been with my current employer for a year, I have not had any days off sick for myself but a few when my chikdren have been poorly. In this year I've been here I've probably had 5 days off with them.

This month I've had 1.5 days off. My childminder phoned at 3pm one day (I normally finish at 5) and told me my DS1 had been sick so I left work to pick him up.
My husband stayed home the following day with him and then I took a day off with him.

Today I got called in to a meeting where my boss addressed this and said it is putting them in an awkward position, but that he understands that I need to stay home with my children when they're sick.

I said that I was terribly sorry but that I had not had a choice but to stay home, I also explained that me and my husband always share these days equally between us.

He again said that it's "putting them in an awkward position" with me having days off. They will not deduct anything from my wages this time but if this continues we will have to have further discussions.

Now, I know for a fact this will continue, kids are kids and they are going to get sick now and then.

So can anyone please tell me what my rights (and responsibilities) are when it comes to taking days off with poorly children?

[whatsthecomingoverthehill]

You've come on to a 7 year old thread to have a nonsensical rant.

[Lsmummy1]

Nonsensical means by definition, having no meaning. Rant? Perhaps, due to the nature of the replies, but what I wrote was entirely related and encompassed meaning directly to the op and that of the replies.

Just like to point out you've come on a 7 year old thread to reply to my comment. Same difference?

[flowery]

I'm sure the OP's situation has been resolved now, and she no longer needs any advice...!

However Lsmummy1 as you feel there was "no helpful accurate legal advice given here other than the fact you are entitled to take reasonable time off to look after your children as stated on the Gov website" perhaps you'd like to add some now? Otherwise it does look like you've come on just for a rant rather than to be helpful.!

Looking back at just my own posts, I can see I gave more advice than that, and I can assure you my advice was both legally accurate and helpful, including what kind of instances and what lengths of time would be considered reasonable from a legal point of view. Sorry if you didn't feel it was helpful enough.

[Lsmummy1]

I didn't come to offer advice. I was expressing an opinion of how shocked I was at SOME of the lack of support and unhelpful comments, something which I have every right to express.

I never gave the impression I was here to be helpful, as you quite rightly say, I'm sure the situation has been resolved after all these years.... why would I try and offer advice or help?

I'm not sure why you've got a bee in your bonnet, I never addressed your comments personally... if you feel that they perhaps fall into the category of judgemental and hence I'm addressing you, then maybe you don't actually feel your posts were helpful after all

You don't need to apologise, as I said I have no idea what your specific comments were and this 'rant' has nothing to do with you personally, so maybe don't make it about you.

[Lsmummy1]

So yes, edit to my other comment, obviously there was some accurate legal and helpful advice given, as I said some people (maybe you, again don't know exactly what you said) were helpful and really understanding. My 'rant' was directed towards the many people that made unhelpful comments such as '5 days a year is excessive' or 'get childcare and do you job' if neither of these things apply to you then I have no idea why you've bothered replying and getting offended

[swingofthings]

I was a single mum of 2 working FT. It was inevitable that there would be some days I couldn't work. Their nursery was very good and looked after them giving calpol and cuddles and only called me if they were really poorly.

When that happened, I always made sure to take work home with me and did as much as I could after they'd gone to bed. I also offered to work extra and went in on my day off a couple of times, until my boss told me that it was ok and not to worry.

I think he was cool about it because I tried to so hard to ensure these instances were exceptional. I never had 5 days off a year due to them being sick. When they go chicken pox, I took the week off holiday.