Working rights/process when kids are sick

[TBC45678]

Seeking some more info than I've found on my Google search - partner's got in trouble for taking a day off when our child was sick. He let his immediate boss know and was subsequently told he should have booked it as a day's holiday. Is this right? My work are very understanding and I've never really had to worry much (other than feeling guilty) when I've taken days for the kids being sick. They are young so it happens a lot. I have always assumed it just comes out of my sick day allowance and would be unpaid if I go over my allowance? Surely it's not a holiday day?

Thanks again for the helpful comments. Only just gone back to work so haven't checked my latest pay check, I guess the few days I've had off for the kids must have been unpaid. Even more reason for it not be just me who always takes the hit!

@ChristmasJumpers they can't cap emergency dependents leave, it's a statutory entitlement.
Or do you mean you get paid for 1 of dependents leave per year?

Yes that and your bosses will get pissed off if the other parent is on the scene but never takes the time off. I'd argue if you've only just gone back if anything he should be doing more than you while you settle back in

Yes sorry, I mean we get 1 paid day, then the option of using holidays or u paid leave following that

My children very considerately usually give me their nasty viruses so I can in good conscience take a day off sick and also look after them

My company offer 5 days emergency leave per year for stuff like this. Not sure if it's legally required or just them being helpful

It's three days in a 12 month period. They are hardly falling over themselves in generosity, are they??? Whilst you are being so superior, your maternity leave is several weeks shorter than ours - they really shaft ye over in Ireland in any way the can, don't they!?!

Many employers are more generous than the legal minimum. I'm sure that's also true in Ireland. But please don't come over all superior - Ireland has it's problems too, including, until very very recently, no abortion. The UK isn't perfect and some of us work hard to try to change that. Perhaps you could do the same in Ireland instead of having a pop at us.

PS. I'm an Irish citizen living in the UK

Time off for dependents is usually unpaid or you can take hols.

I have flexible working so we’ve always been allowed to do what we can and make the hours up. Harder with young kids but not a problem once they are a bit older. I wfh anyways but was the same when I didn’t.

I had the choice of taking unpaid leave or holiday when taking time off work to look after sick kids.
I think the only time I got it as paid time off was when ds2 had his first asthma attack that put him in hospital for a week, and my employer at the time took pity on me.