How is requesting four weeks’ unpaid parental leave after starting a new job viewed?

[Tryingtohelp12]

Hi
I’m currently in a FTC that finishes in May so on the look out for something new.

I’ve seen something I’d like to apply for but the issue is the summer holidays would start about 8 weeks after starting. I would need to request 4 weeks unpaid parental leave, as I have 3 children and my wage would not cover the cost of the childcare, plus due to my eldest sen needs he can’t go to a general summer club as it’s too overwhelming and can only go to family or my childminder (she’s known him since before he was 1), and last year she decided to cut down her working hours and only work 2 weeks in the holidays so she is unavailable for a big chunk of summer.

from 6 April requesting parental leave becomes a day 1 right but I just wanted opinions on how it will really be recieved?

They would generally just deny it imo.

This

start looking for jobs where you are available from 1 September.

generally most jobs won’t be happy for you to be absent for a month, whether you’ve been there a year or 1 day, and annual leave or parental leave.

I would in the public sector too and I take 5/6 weeks in a block every year over summer (a mix of annual leave and parental leave, so I can still use annual leave over the rest of the year). When I started I didn't know it was a possibility but then I saw others doing it and realised it hadn't affected their career prospects. I do put it in the diary many months in advance and ensure that there is sufficient coverage; I also don't take time off during other school holidays (for example I work through Christmas, apart from the bank holidays, so that I can be the manager on duty during that time and others in my team can go on holiday).

In my workplace parental leVe is for emergency circumstances where you can't plan childcare, eg. School strike, weather etc. It can also be requested if for example my child is sick or is going to be recovering from surgery etc. It wouldn't be granted to cover school holidays which you know about well in advance. I work in NHS but not medical.

No employer would want this.

If you can afford it then ask to delay your starting date. It's fairly common practice for people to take a break between jobs and a start date is always negotiable. I've always done that between jobs, usually only 1 month but it's never been an issue.
You haven't even applied for the job, I'd apply and if you get offered it, then negotiate a starting date to suit you. The whole process may take longer than you think so that it's not so much of a problem.

Agreed.

Four whole weeks, at peak 'holiday request' time when you probably have staff who have been waiting for their turn to have time off in the school hols. Depending on the size / nature of the business and role, of course. And as an employer I would be concerned that this would happen every school holiday.

Though I do understand how hard it is when you have Dc who cannot be catered for in traditional holiday care settings.

Can your DH take the unpaid leave this year?

Your problem is you will be requesting parental leave at the peak holiday time when they will likely be short staffed due to so many people already having booked their annual leave.

I’d request a September start date and then once you start get your request in for next summer nice and early.

I thought this too. Very odd post, given that OP hasn’t even applied for the job yet never mind being given the leave.

OP, IME public sector recruitment can take a while and they won’t have an issue with a longer notice period, so just tell the you’re available from September.

OP won’t have accrued enough leave to do that though.

That's not Parental Leave, which can only be booked in full week blocks, with at least 21 days' notice. It's not suitable for emergencies at all.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave

I wouldn't see this negatively for what it's worth :) lots of people need chunks of time out for various bits and pieces (surgery/ childcare/ weddings and honeymoons!) it's legislative right as well so companies should support.

I would just be as proactive and upfront as possible about it, and flex where possible if needed to show willing on both sides

Some employers don’t work that way - you might get a whole years leave to use straight away so if for example the end of the leave year is April and she starts in July she would have 8/12 annual leave to use. Yes you have to pay it back if you leave early but you can front load it.

Just pointing out that some employers do. ;)

You keep advised not to tell them at interview. Of course you don’t have to but if you get the job then put a request in, you risk looking dishonest.

I assume you want people to say that an employer would be perfectly happy about the situation - they have to agree unless there is a business case but don’t expect them or your colleagues to be overjoyed at the prospect.

*being advised

It’s not accurate to say that it’s not worth you working because of the childcare costs because you have another person in the household also responsible for those children who is earning three times what you do. So it is worth you working because the childcare is only taking a quarter of what you earn.

By this time in the year a lot of the summer holidays is already booked up and it doesn’t really matter whether you want four weeks of annual leave or unpaid leave there need to be people working.

If you ask at interview the employer will find a reason to choose a different candidate. You never, ever, negotiate* until you’ve at least been offered the job, you’re in way too weak a position.

*other than checking their salary package is in the right range so you don’t waste your own time.

It’s been brought in at the behest of the unions and MPs who have never run a business or employed anyone. Employers trying to run a business don’t like it for obvious reasons and it’s just another reason to put off expanding your workforce until you absolutely have to. In other posts you will see people worrying about finding jobs and the lack of opportunities for young people.

Not well at all. What do you expect to happen every other summer holiday? There will always be 6 weeks more school holiday than there is annual leave. You can't only work term-time because it saves you money and expect an employer to be OK with that.

Thats fine - they can dump you during your probation without it looking like discrimination so you take your chance I guess

I would imagine that would go down pretty poorly amongst your colleagues who are bound to be picking up the slack especially during a busy holiday time anyway. I am sure those who have kids but have made arrangements for childcare will be especially hacked off. If I was an employer it would be a red flag that this isn't going to be a one off and this will occur during all school holidays.

Things have very much changed since I was working with young DC. If we wanted a job we had to get on with it and make the necessary arrangements. We had a choice to either fulfil the role to meet business needs or we left. I guess it doesn't really work like that nowadays though.

Sorry I know that sounds a bit "back in my day" 🙄

@Climbingrosexxit does sound a bit "back in the day!" Some people can't make other arrangements, or heaven forbid want to take unpaid leave to spend time with their children.

Making life harder for working parents doesn't make good business sense. You could lose a cracker of a candidate over this approach, with enough notice work can be planned for, people take emergency time off for various reasons, at least this can be planned for, dates changed with mutual agreement etc

@ThelastRolo20 Asking for four weeks parental leave during the summer holidays this year if she starts in May or June, is unlikely to work out though. The OP needs to have a backup childcare plan.