Employer asking for proof of child sickness on return to work

[Sharn10]

Hi everyone

My child has not been feeling well and is currently on a course of antibiotics and recovering at home. I have informed my employer, who have stated that I need to provide proof that my child was actually unwell when I return back to work. I am completely confused to what type off proof I need to provide or if I am even obligated to do so.

How long were you off? Was it paid or unpaid? Sounds strange to me tbh. Take a picture of the antibiotics?

Did you ask why ?
Do your take a lot of time off with child and if so do you use your annual leave ?
I don't think they can ask for proof but can tell you to use annual leave or not pay you . You are allowed unpaid leave for children I believe not sure what is allowed .
I'd ask why and see what they say .

Meant to say not sure how long unpaid leave is allowed.

What type of leave were you taking to cover the absence and for how long?

If you’ve been off a long time I can see they might ask, as you’d have to provide ‘proof’ of your own sickness in terms of a doctors note. If it’s only been a day or so though then I’d question it as it’s akin to saying you’re lying.

I’d take a photo of the antibiotics label. They don’t prescribe them for nothing these days.

What sort of leave have you arranged? Unpaid parental leave? I wouldn't think you'd need proof of anything for that, as it's arranged and agreed in advance. How long have you been off for?

Take the box from the antibiotics with the label as it'll have your dc name and the date. I'd call that proof.

How long have you been off work and are you being paid?

This is the first time I have taken time off for my child sickness. I am taking unpaid leave from today, as she will most likely be resting at home for the rest of the week.

Can you take in a copy of the prescription label?

Emergency dependents leave for sickness is only for 24 to give time to arrange alternative childcare.

Have you asked what form of proof they need?

FWIW I have never heard of this happening in my 20+ years of working!

To be honest i find it very strange, and i feel like there is a lack of trust. I can take a picture of the antibiotics, I just dont feel obliged to do so at the moment.

Thanks to everyone for your replys so far

You could submit a copy of the prescription I guess. Or a note from the school confirming she was off? I assume they're allowed to ask for proof of you're taking leave for that purpose specifically. Can't see why you'd be likely to fake it though for the sake of unpaid leave

I'm still not clear what type of leave you took - eg annual? Exceptional? Parental?

If you have a partner, can you split the time off with them?

Out of interest, if emergency leave is only for 24 hrs, and no childcare setting takes a poorly child, how on earth are you supposed to arrange alternative childcare, if you have no family nearby??!!

When mine were little, work were a bit irritated after a few bouts of illness, not the first, and there was a few years when my husband was a contractor and didn't get paid for days off - so I covered nearly all of them! Made up for it by hardly ever being off sick myself.

Over the course of a working life, the early years are only a short time, relatively speaking, so work need to put this into perspective. Mine are now teens and mostly able to stay home without me.

No-one gets paid for days off if their child is sick, though - unless you take annual leave.

Or if you have an enlightened employer who offers dependents' leave.

Dependents leave isn't necessarily paid though. It can be unpaid too

I'd ask 'yes sure what do you need?' To make it clear it isn't a problem but you're not sure what to do. Once they learn you're happy to do it they may drop it anyway.

Jeez, if you're not being paid for it and there is d no reason to distrust you (ie tenth such absence, conveniently all making long weekends) can they actually ask for this?

What constitutes sufficient 'proof' anyway? A zip lock bag with some vegetable soup in it would be tempting..

I think what would be reasonable is a photo of the antibiotics. Thats shows that your child is at home and has been unwell. You dont have to give much more information out. i think if you are taking a leave of absnece from work - and are paid for it, then it is fair to ask for "proof" and is a way for your employer not to open up several cases of parents not making it into work as caring for a child.

I am not sure why you are worried and think it is a trust issue. I think it is a simple request, that allows you to prove what you are doing.

Sorry OP i have just seen that you are taking upaid leave - then perhaps you have a point - unless granting this was something special (even though you are not paid, it is still something that the company would like to avoid).

OP says she is "taking unpaid leave from today", which implies that the time she has had off in the days before this has been paid. It sounds like the company are giving her paid dependant's leave for that period, which they're not obliged to do - but it depends what her contract says.