First week new job - DS sick

[koalabearboombox]

It's my first week in my new job and DS is sick... I'm going to have to take tomorrow off to take care of him.

My work doesn't seem to have any kind of policy for parental leave so I guess my options are to take holiday or unpaid, is that right?

Sometimes I just want to tell people "you really should have seen how great I was before I had kids" 🤣

Is DCs dad around, or any other family or friends who could have him for the day?

Holiday may not be an option as you haven't accrued any leave yet and some companies require a minimum notice period. It's more likely to be unpaid.

That's bad luck! I would request a days holiday. Once you've been there a bit longer you can check their leave policy.
What about partner or grandparents? Can they have him?

Is his dad able to take the day off?

What bad luck. I would explain the situation and see what they suggest in terms of leave.

Dad is currently travelling for work, no other family able to have him unfortunately. I'll just have to take it unpaid if no other options. Pain in the arse.

How ill is he? Can you take a view and send him to school/childcare, and hope he improves during the day?
If he's actually been vomiting repeatedly, then you have no option, but otherwise....

The other options are to use an emergency nanny service : I’ve done this when DC were small. Obvs not if they were violently vomiting but illness short of that I used a few different agencies over the years. Though I had lined this up prior to going back after mat leave.

and yes I think it would either be unpaid leave or taken from your holiday entitlement

This happened to me and I was really stressed about it as so wanted to make a good impression.

I messaged to say I would work as much as I could (WFH) but that my child had a sickness bug so I might be up and down. Would be happy to make up the hours or equally unpaid / annual leave.

They company have been nicer, we’re almost mortified that I offered those options and told me to take the day as family is more important. (I did work, and did make up the hours I didn’t!) But you might be surprised?

You have a statutory right to taking time off for dependents.

https://www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants

Parental leave is a different thing and needs to be booked at least 3 weeks in advance. You also need to have worked there for more than a year.