I work for the NHS within a team of 3 secretaries. I started this job at the beginning of this year. One of them has booked 2 weeks annual leave starting next week. The other secretary has to self-isolate for 10 days because her son has COVID. My 11 year old is currently self-isolating due to a classmate testing positive. He's in year 6 of primary school. My partner is WFH to help me out but he really needs to get into work again.
I also have an 8 year old with as yet undiagnosed SEN. I mentioned to my boss that I was in fear of his class having to self-isolate because I'd need to look after them. DS2 is very loud and disruptive. Nobody could WFH me out him around. She told me in no uncertain terms that she could not agree to me having time off to look after my children and that they were counting on me being at work over the next few weeks because of the other 2 being off.
Is she allowed to refuse time off for this? I can't leave an 11 year old and an 8 year old home alone can I? I'm still in my probation period so I daren't take time off but I'm trying to figure out my options.
Can DS2 self-isolate at his dad's (non-resident parent)?