Huh??

[Nikki76]

Hiya all

I've got a torn muscle (ouch!!!) and have been unable to do anything with DS so hubby had to stay at home for a week to look after me (spaced out on painkillers!!) and DS. He was honest with work and told them what happened and when he went back, he was told that as the time he took off wasn't for himself being sick, its been deducted off his holidays!!!!!!

Has this happened to anyone else's hubby? Surely it can't be right! Funny thing is though, hubby works for NHS so would have thought they would be pioneers in the parent friendly atmosphere that they constantly boff on about!! DH is going to check with HR also but wanted to see what you mumsnetters thought.

Cheers,

Cheesed off Niks!!

Unfortunately, it happened to me. I work evenings but my DH was poorly and was laid up in bed for a couple of days which meant he couldn't look after DS when I needed to go to work, so I had to take the time off and yes, I had to take it as holiday. I know it seems very unfair, but I believe its company discretion as to whether they make you take it as holiday or not. Sorry! Hope you're feeling better now

I think 'sickness at home' is descretionary so it depends on the organisation & whats written in their policy

I think that this is probably right.

I don't think employers are obliged to pay paid sick leave unless it is the person themselves that is sick. I know at our work if DS is sick I need to take that time as holiday unless ( fingers crossed it never happens) its something major in which case it might be compassionate paid leave.

Your DH may be able to get it changed to unpaid leave so he can keep his holiday entitlement.

Hope you are feeling better.

A lot better thanks. Mum has come up to stay for the week (bless our mums!) to save hubby losing any more hols.

I've told him the next time something like this happens (not in the near future I hope!!) to ring in and say its him that's sick and then that way he doesn't lose out!! He will also have to 'take a sickie' when its DS b'day as no hols left now! Employers don't exactly encourage loyalty do they!! Rant rant!!

By the way - its my butt cheek that hurts....had no idea I even used muscles in that area, except to talk out of or sit on it too much but there you go!! lol!!

nhs.... compassionate leave is at the managers discretion, so yes holiday would be made to be taken.
However it is a bit mean if your dh has a previously exemplary record,

Ah but your dh qualifies for time off to care for dependents - eg your ds. Usually only a day or two, and it is unpaid, but cannot be taken from holidays.

As a NHS employee he should be entitled to emergency parental Leave, he shoudl check with the HR department

Employment law allows for time off for dependants (allows for emergency cover when childcare arrangements fail as in you being unable to look after ds) - yes it is unpaid but is definately separate from holidays.

Time off for dependants is for an unexpected or sudden emergency and to allow reasonable (one or two days should usually suffice allegedly) time to make alternative care arrangements for child/partner etc.

did he report his absence as per procedure and explain the reason initially.

The one or two days is unpaid, can be extended for any amount of time (unpaid) but that is up to the employer. For longer periods such as yours, a good employer might offer to use holidays (not force) or allow someone to make up time.

He needs to check his terms and conditions as they probably can't force him to take holiday unless its within the contract, the most they could do in these circumstances is to just allocate it as unpaid leave.