Friend's 7yo about to start chemotheraphy - what should she expect from her employer?

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She's expecting to have time off for the appointments but to work in-between. As I understand it she's not "entitled" to any leave, certainly not paid. Is it "usual" for an employer to make allowances for such a serious illness though?

What if she needs more time off? I seem to recall when a colleague's DD went through similar many years ago that both he and his wife were signed off sick for the duration of the treatment. Is that the best way forward/likely to be necessary/possible?

ATM she taking all in her stride and dealing with practicalities/only thinking of her son. I don't think she understands (neither do I really) how tough it's going to be on her.

She's a f-t teacher with 2 other young children so balancing work and home is already tough. I don't see how she's going to be able to work through this.

Am I being overly pessimistic and what should she expect from her employer?

I don't what she should legally expect but as a teacher I think it would be better for her and her class if she were signed off for this period. Her DS is going to need a lot of care in between appointments too and taking sporadic days off when he is poorly is going to leave her feeling bad and her class unsettled. I do hope her Headteacher has a brain (and a heart) and reaches the same conclusion.
What a total nightmare for her. I hope she has lots of support and most importantly her DS's chemo is a success.

There was a similar situation to this in my team several years ago. The person in question was signed off with stress by their doctor. No questions we're asked by the business as we understood the situation.

This may differ by employer / manager / HR team.

Thank you

Yes, Blankiefan I think that's what happened when my old colleague went through it.

He parents are talking about going to stay "so you don't have to miss much work" which is lovely of them and their heart's definitely in the right place but I doubt, a few weeks in, if work is going to be important to any of them

Anyone else?

She should check her employer's absence management policy carefully as full discretionary sick pay will run out at some point and she could find herself on unpaid leave.

I don't know anything specifically about working in teaching, but I would suggest checking entitlement to sick pay as above and asking her dr to sign her off with stress due to child's illness (so making it clear not work related stress). Pehaps if sick pay isn't going to last long, the school might also give a couple of weeks compassionate leave. A final option could be to request a temporary reduction in hours, although this would probably result in a reduction in pay. I would hope most employers would be as flexible and supportive as they could be in this situation, and that your friend's son copes well with treatment.

There's no legal framework for paid or unpaid time off in this type of situation, however obviously it would be a hard-hearted employer indeed who didn't agree something and most would do what they can to accommodate someone in this situation.

She needs to check her policies to see if there is anything internally which may help, but other than that it will be a case of discussing with her Head about realistically how much time off she may want/need, and what arrangement they can come to about paid/unpaid leave.

Thank you

I work for a LA and there is provision for (paid) compassionate leave at the manager's discretion.

I know someone who went through this and the GP signed them off sick for the whole length of treatment. I hope her child makes a full recovery xxx