Accommodating staff with disabled children

[Clinkyclunk]

I have a difficult issue with a member of my staff and want to see if I am being unreasonable or not.

Staff member has disabled children and has not been in work for several weeks this year. They’ve depleated all their special paid leave that we offer for caring for dependents and emergencies which is 10 days and trying to be good employers we’ve accommodated the rest on full pay. Absence is usually because the children are ill or have a hospital appointment or has to leave early to pick them up from school as the children are not coping at school. This all adds up to a huge number of hours missed just this week alone.

It’s got to the stage where we cannot accommodate any more time off. I’ve suggested the individual reduce their hours and have the flexibility to work hours and days that fit around appointments etc. However this has been met with the argument that they can’t afford to reduce their hours as they wouldn’t be able to afford their mortgage. Now I empathise with this, but unfortunately this isn’t my problem - is it?

We are not getting the hours we are paying the individual for. It does not make business sense to employ this person, which upsets me as I want to offer opportunities no matter someone’s circumstances. At the moment it’s all give on our part with no willingness to address this issue.

So what would you do?

mrs2468 I believe that people who care for those with disabilities are also protected

I knew of a computer programmer who lost his eyesight rapidly. Was referred to Access to Work for advice (as part of a proper process). They suggested an audio computer programme was bought (£100k upfront plus £15k per year servicing contract) and that the company should employ someone with the same skills and experience as the person to sit alongside them and assist them (£50k salary plus on costs per year).

There were only 5 people working in the company, all programmers apart from 1 CEO, and it just wasn’t possible to accomodate the recommendations. They were medically retired on a full pension. (Individual was 59 IIRC.)