Hi, I work for NHS (health assistant) part-time. Worked all through lockdown, never took day off or sick day, but 2 weeks ago my mum became very ill, had an operation, complications and has been released from hospital 2 days ago. She is really ill and can not stay on her own (she usually lives alone and was ok till now). I rang my manager today and asked for some kind of holiday/leave/anything, as I really can not leave her home on her own. There is nobody else who can look after her at the moment. Hopefully, mum will improve in the couple of weeks. My manager refused to give me any kind of leave and I was warned 'you have to choose between your job or your mum'. I am so upset and really have no idea what to do.
I still have my holiday allowance, but our ward is really understaffed, as loads of colleagues 'shielding' and this is what I was told.
I must stress that in 3y I worked there, I was sick only once for 2 days and really never have taken any day off.
I have emailed HR, but not holding much hope, as a lot of them still work from home and response is even slower than it used to be. I have a shift on Wednesday.
Thank You.