Parental Leave for poorly child?

[mittens92]

I am so lucky I have really understanding colleagues at work! But just wondering if my little one is poorly and I have to take him to the doctors or look after him as well as my OH cos we have had a horrid week this week, can I ask to take it as "parental" leave instead of unauthorised absence? My OH usually takes care of him while I am working but we have had 0 sleep because he has a viral rash and he hasn't been able to stop itching despite desperate measures being given (Piriton has not really helped, E45 lotion, etc.). Is everyone entitled to parental leave or is it a company policy? I am worried about my son more than anything but the last thing I need is to lose my job. Thank you xxx

It depends on company policy but in both me and DH's workplace parental leave has to be booked at least 2 months in advance and can only be in blocks of whole weeks

However, separate to parental leave you have a right to dependants leave to cope with emergencies such as a child being unexpectedly too ill to go to normal childcare
www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants/your-rights

HOWEVER that is not a right to take time off for the full duration of any childhood illness - it means just enough time to make arrangements for alternative care (emergency nanny, grandparent etc). If a child is regularly poorly then asking for a flexitime arrangement may be necessary, but employers are not obliged to employ someone who can't be relied upon to get the job done.

The Govenments parental leave can only be taken in week long blocks, and needs to be approved in advance, so no, this can't be used to cover an ill child.
Some companies have dependants leave, where you can book off at the last minute to cover illness. I always approved last minute holiday for parents who rang me to say they couldn't come in as child was ill - and always planned on carrying over a few days holiday each leave year so I could cover any illness with leave. I know not everyone can take last minute leave (or even choose when to take lezve) or carry it over, so much of that may be irrelevant.

Hope your son is feeling better soon, and you all manage some sleep.

You have to give a set amount of notice for parental leave.

www.gov.uk/parental-leave/notice-period

There is also emergency time off for dependents but that's to arrange childcare etc so wouldn't apply if your husband is available.

My company's policy is very much similar to that set out by corilia above.

Parental leave - need to give notice and is intended to be for chunks of time (e.g. a planned operation with recovery time)
Dependants leave - for a day or two at the most in an emergency. It's unpaid at my company. I've used this once or twice in the last couple of years but generally I use annual leave entitlement so I still get paid, the exception being if I've had all annual leave earmarked for something else and it's getting near the end of the year.

Thank you everyone for your replies!! Really helpful xxx