Time off for sick child, what can they do ?

[lilacclaire]

My 3.5 year old son is not well and I had to call in on Monday to take the day off. I don't care if they take it as a holiday or unpaid leave.

He had high temp and his gums are inflamed and look very painful. Took him to the dentist in the afternoon and she gave me a spray to ease his gums (not really working).

I had a holiday today as had theory test (ds still unwell). Today is dp's day off and he obviously watched him.

Ds's gums are still really inflammed, dentist thinks he has a virus and its outing itself on the gums.

I think he may need antibiotics (they look very ouch and he is to have nothing acidic).

Ideally I would call doctors in morning and get emergency appointment (doc's very good).

My work were quite shitty when I called in on Monday. I am worried about calling in tommorow. I am already due a disciplinary hearing this Friday for being off sick on 3 occasions in the past 12 months.

Does anyone know the law when it comes to your kids being sick?

You are legally allowed time off to make alternative arrangements for a sick child/childcare emergency but there is no legal definition of how much time is acceptable. There was a mother who's child had chicken pox, it was ruled that this was not allowed as she was only allowed to make alternative arrangements. It comes under the time off for dependants.

You are allowed a 'reasonable' amount of time off to care for dependants. The difficulty is defining reasonable.

IME, I would not usually take these occasions into account when deciding whether disciplinary action is necessary for repeated absence.

you do need to think about it though - you've got another 12 years of this... it's a good time to work out amicably with your employers what their expectations are wrt time off for sick kids...
particularly if you are already under investigation for time off sick yourself... don't understand that btw, did you self-certify and go over the time limit? or did you fail to supply doctor's note etc? they shouldn't be disciplining you for being sick - that's all wrong.

There isn't anyone else who can look after him tommorow if the childminder won't take him.
I'll give her a call later, he's very clingy when he's not ok.
Perhaps I could get an appointment for him after I finish work?

I've just had a run of it tbh.
We are never usually ill then it was like bish bash bosh!
The last time I was off was for an allergic reaction which made my face swell to mamoth proportions. I guess I really could have went to my work but was far to embarrassed.
I did go to the doctors for steroid tablets but did not get a sick line as was only off for 1 day until the swelling went down, although skin is still suffering somewhat.

I am handing my notice in this month, but I don't want them to think I am at it with regards to being off.

Can you phone them now and ask them if its ok for you to go in late and make up the time by working through lunch? Or take the day off as a holiday?

I have had this problem with an old employer. I ended up having my shifts cut by 75% after needing to take time off with my ds after he had a tummy bug. I was only off for 4 days. I did seek legal advice and I did take them to a tribunal. I settled the day before. Some employers are arseholes. Liquid anbesol might help, you can get this from the chemist. It's a local anaesthetic so will numb his gums. Poor thing.

my dh has been disciplined for being off sick more than is expected. i think it is wrong too but he is on a final written for it despite all of his sicknesses being self certified or doc notes and most were for an ongoing ear problem.

Have spoken to childminder who is happy to take him and feed him bland diet and give medicine as long as I sign a disclaimer.
I will try and get a doc's appointment for after my work, they are usually very accomodating for little ones.

mum2jakeyroo, its terrible isn't it that you are disciplined for being off sick. I understand that it is to stop people just taking sickies whenever they feel like it, but if your genuinely ill then its so unfair.