Time off for sick child - what are the rules?

[M1SSUNDERSTOOD]

Today I phoned in absent from work as my DS2 was sent home from nursery. Yesterday my FIL filled in as they phoned me at work and I warned them nursery prob won't take him back within 24 hours. So my boss said to me we'll have to sort out how you take this day. I still have a/l and wondering if it means I have to take that!

You are entitled to take it as unpaid leave, though using A/L may be better, depending on your situation.

I have to use annual leave whenever DS or the CM is ill. Couldn't believe it either but this seems to be the case.

Where do you work? Some larger organisations allow so many paid 'carer's leave' days.

Thanks. Itseems unfair as the childcare will still have to be paid! Can't win either way.

Sorry missed that. I work for the local government. I was just surprised boss didn't seem to know procedure if there are any in place.

It sounds as though it's not as much your boss not knowing the procedure. You could either take it as unpaid emergency leave, or as paid annual leave, or any other arrangement your employer might have. 'Sort out how you take this day' will probably mean working out and deciding between you whether it will come out of your annual leave entitlement or something else.

Ok thanks just wanted to go in with right information. Will wait and see what happens. Keep you posted.

If you work in local government, I would guess you DO have a policy of giving carers leave.

I'm in the NHS and we get up to 15 days a year, paid, carers leave.

Can you ask for the policy, or look at your intranet under 'personnel policies'?

I work in Local Government and you are entitled to a certain amount of parental leave. If you can't find anything in your intranet etc then I would ring HR for advice.

Often, some managers don't know all the rules so contact HR for advice anyway. (I post as a manager myself).

I think councils vary in giving sick dependency leave - my employer and dp's give 5 days but others may give more or less. Do you have a copy of your terms and conditions either in printed form or accessible on eg an intranet? Are you in a union, as they may be able to confirm the position, or be able to help you work it out with your employer? A couple of years ago my convenor had to help argue with an individual manager that under our terms and conditions, a member was entitled to bereavement leave when her partner's mum died.

I am not allowed to use any A/L if my DS is ill. I am entitled to unpaid dependancy leave - though this is classed a special leave and although recorded on my attendance record, does not count towards any disciplinary issues - unless you abuse the right and start claiming poor DC are sick just so you can blag a free day thinking there wont be any repurcussions.

My employers however are absolute shits and whilst they give you this dependency leave - I was advised that I must make first priority to get into work and complete my shift and arrange alternative childcare. Er, sorry, no. My children are my responsibility - though it doesnt help when childcare providers and schools impose a 48 hour ban once a child is poorly - especially when alot of times its a 24 hour bug..

My childminder was once porrly and I was caught short and had to take the day off and I was told I had inadequate childcare!! I had to remind them that my childminder was not a machine, she was human and got poorly too and that in 18 months, she had been poorly this one time..

But yes, deffo do NOT let them make you take AL unless you agree to it - it goes as unpaid special/dependency leave...