Parental leave - do you use this statutory right? If yes what do you use it for?

[anotherdayinhell]

Hi All,
Just being nosey really - do you use your parental leave right with your employer? If so what kind of things do you use it for? I predominantly use mine to take my kids to medical appointments (both disabled) however I was wondering what others use it for - care for children during school holidays? To spend time with your children?

Currently my employer is trying to put me through a disciplinary due to using parental leave which is illegal so I am going through the process of tribunal at the moment, employer is 100% trying to force me out!!

I hope you are claiming disability discrimination (by association)

Can be taken in blocks of 1 day if child has a disability - don't give HR advice unless you've read up first

I am indeed!

Just make sure they don't drag out the process and take you beyond the time limit when you can apply to tribunal

I have done this previously already and they didn't even address my parental leave issues then I got signed off sick with my own mental health upon returning they hit me with another disciplinary (current one going through) and included in the "evidence bundle" parental leave dates I've taken for my kids medicals and put them in the absence figures so have taken no notice of my previous appeal. My employer has stated she refuses to reply to emails about this matter (meaning my parental leave grievance) so got no choice now really

It is...very.. especially with no support!

Thank you. I'm waiting on the mediator now so hopefully 2 weeks and it will be started I'll keep an eye on the time limits!

Yes correct. I guess I meant to say for emergencies outside of the 'parental leave' blocks. Which is how the OP was describing parental I thought.
Edited to elaborate further. Needlessly.

I've only ever taken one week (both my DC over 18 now) and it was for a fantastic once in a lifetime holiday.

And just to add because I can’t see it anywhere on here (I’m waiting for an angry toddler to fall asleep though so could have missed it) that’s 18 weeks unpaid parental leave per child, and per parent. Step parents are also eligible and that’s not at the expense of a parent’s entitlement.

Mine has turned 18 so no more opportunity but when younger I took a few two-week blocks; I don’t think I used the whole allowance, due to Covid. Because full weeks were needed, I would use the parental leave for a trip away, then cover other shorter times with annual leave.

I didn’t need to do much in the way of health appointments etc, fortunately; I work 4 days a week though so would have been able to swap things around as my employer is always really supportive

Good luck with the process OP

I took parental leave last week as the childminder had Covid so couldn't watch my kids. Also used it a few years ago when my son was in hospital x

You can use it in one day blocks if your child is disabled though

I missed the reference to the children being disabled. (Shoot me.)

I use it for school holidays when I can't stretch my annual leave. My (large local government) employer let's us take it in one day blocks regardless.

I like the thought of it but given it's unpaid, for me it's cheaper to put both kids in holiday club.

Unless your child is disabled and then it can be used one day at a time rather than blocks of a week.

I wish I'd used it for an extra month mat leave

I’ve not used it.
i can’t really afford for my salary to be reduced due to it (which I assume it would be as it’s unpaid). And as we have flexitime anyway, if I take time out for kids appointments then I make up the hours. I just juggle the school holidays.

My work allows parental leave to be taken in single days. I haven’t used any yet but intend on using 2 weeks a year for holiday childcare or to spend time with kids

Thank you for all your responses. Going to use mine wisely next year for summer holidays as I work for 24 pound per day when the childcare holiday club costs are involved haha so may aswell use it as its a good employee right for some