Unpaid parental leave/unpaid leave

[Longingforsummer583]

Looking for advice on parental leave. I have read on the government website that you have to have worked at the place for 1 year before being allowed unpaid parental leave. Does anyone know if there is any leaway on this? And is unpaid leave the same as unpaid parental leave?
I have returned to work full time and have been there for a few months. I wanted to go back to work anyway after being a sahm but I had to at this time as my husband has had to give up his Job as he is suffering from a serious mental health condition so we lost his income
The timing was very bad and at the time he needed me here the most I am now at work 40 hours a week.
We have 2 kids. I have put my annual leave requests in for the year, but obviously 23 days holiday does not cover the 13 weeks the kids are off school. I was hoping that I could use the option of the 4 weeks unpaid parental leave so I could be here more , as its a lot for my husband to manage everything alone .
I am absolutely gutted to read that I won't be eligible for this. My work also offers the chance to buy another 5 days annual leave but again you have to have worked there for 12 months.
I know I'm asking for special treatment but is there any point in even raising this with work? They already know about my situation, I'm a hard worker and have not had any time off yet or been off sick etc. Would it just be a flat no regardless?

I also wouldn't need to use this going forward, as hopefully life will be better then
I need it now during this first 12 months

You can ask and most employers will accommodate this especially if larger ones and can easily get cover etc

Lots of companies are flexible or have different policies that might divert from what is basically the bare minimum the government set out in law. Your company's policy will probably dictate how they'll take the request but it's always worth asking. One of my team members requested unpaid leave within two months of joining and we were happy to give it to her because we valued her as an employee.

Oh wow that's at least given me a bit of hope! I shall ask my manager tomorrow

Just ask, there's a chance the company will be flexible with this. As PP has said what you've stated is the minimum in law.

Just be aware they don't have to give you the weeks you've requested if it doesn't suit operationally. But they have to offer you an alternative. That sometimes doesn't work out well if you're using it cover school holidays and they say you can't have a week parental leave in October but can have November instead!

Definitely ask them, they'd much rather factor in unpaid leave than you calling in at the last minute.