unpaid (parental) leave

[Clearinguptheclutter]

I am massively stressed out at work at the moment and it's affecting most of my life outside work too (including children, husband). They have made so many people redundant the rest of us are hugely under pressure. Yes I am looking for a new job but the job market in our industry is truly dire. Colleagues made redundant a year ago have not found anything permanent yet.

Anyway I need time out but I don't expect to be paid. My best option is to ask for unpaid parental leave I think. https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave
"spending time with children" seems to be legitimte reason. Ideally i'd use it over the summer holidys - that is quieter for us but it isn't that simple because others have leave booked for obvious reasons.

1. other than others having leave booked what other legitimate reasons could the business give for saying no? we're all "too busy" but there is no reason to think that will improve anytime soon
2. What other options do I have other than being signed off sick (many of my colleagues have been signed off with stress for a week or two in the recent few months so i wouldn't be the first)

Keen to know if others have succecsssfully got parental leave and how the company took the request

Yes, dh took 8 weeks leave over the summer about 3 years ago. His direct manager was a bit 'wtf' as they'd never heard of it before but once it went to HR it was smooth sailing. It's not for them to nitpick over your reasons. Say dc x is adjusting to school/sport/whatever and you need time away to support them.

The business cannot 'say no' op. Unpaid parental leave is your statutory right and you can take 4 weeks per child, per year.

Your employer can delay it and tbh there's no limit to the 'legitimate' reasons they can provide if they want to be awkward. Limited staff, holidays or sickness in the business, workload, important changes coming.

The only way to find out is to send the letter providing your min 3 weeks notice that you'd like to take x weeks leave starting x date. Then see what happens. Your employer either responds agreeing OR providing a delayed start date.

'Declining' your request is not an option they have.