I think I am going to be laid off because my child is sick. Any advice please?

[itsmeolord]

I began work for my company 21st Sept. I am on the usual three month trial set up.

My childminder had a car crash a couple of weeks ago, she called me to get dd so I left work straight away in a bit of a panic. I didn't let anyone know (I work independently off site) not out of any intentional deceit but literally panic/not thinking straight.
My boss called me to the office the next day, he knew I had left site, I apologised straight away and explained what had happened.

He wa very angry, shouting, the whole office heard. He told me I was on a final warning and I had to call the other owner of the company to apologise.....

This tuesday my dd was too ill for either childminder or school. I called early and let him know, he seemed ok about it, not chuffed but not too bad.
I had to call the doctor out last night as dd was getting worse, he diagnosed measles.

Called boss this morning, he is not happy, he has said to "sort dd out, we will have to have a conversation about this on your return to work."

Any advice to help appease the situation? I can't lose this job, I hve been made redundant twice this year, its so utterly shit. I haven't hd time off with a sick child for about two years now and I feel horrid panicking about work when dd is so poorly.

I can work from home if that makes a difference.

As an aside to the work situation, I thought you could only get measles once?

It is very difficult managing ill children. I can only do it because I have a very flexible job and one of my three children is usually off school or nursery a couple of days a month

You could ask about taking unpaid leave formally; or offer to use up your [legal] holiday entitlement - that is what lots of parents do. And can you work from home? Or offer to do something different from home to show willing (eg if you can't clear sales, could you do someone else's paperwork to cover from home?). I think everyone is saying it is up to you to explain to him why he should keep paying you.

But don't let him or anyone else get away with sexist assumptions about the 'unreliability of women/mothers'. Someone DOES have to look after a sick child, there isn't always a granny or friend in the wings able to step in and sometimes, employers just have to lump it and be reasonable: especially if you have hugely exceeded your targets.

Hi Itsmeolord

Just wanted to check where you are in the country.

My lo is 11 months (too young for MMR) and has been diagnosed with possible measles. We are in Oxfordshire but the doctor wasnt aware of any other cases around here.

Hi,

no, i didn't think you could get it twice either, hence why the original doctor said she wouldn't need the mmr, just the mumps and rubella separately.

Wannabe - I do have back up childcare,the issue today is because dd cannot attend any form of childcare with a diagnosis of measles.

I emailed my boss after speaking to him. He has now called me back and apologised for what he said earlier, ie sort out your dd etc.
He has said that they are happy with the work I'm doing and want me to continue with that, he has emailed the same as well.
Doctor has said that dd can return to school when the rash fades which should be by Monday, have explained that to my boss and he has accepted that.

So, many thanks for your advice ladies, I feel 1000% better than I did this morning and dd isn't looking too bad either.

Sorry, I am in Essex, apparently measles is quite common though and doesn't always get a diagnosis.

Yes references were taken that included sickness/absence record.

Great to hear that your boss is cooling down a little - probably your call and follow-up email went a long way to showing your committment.

Hope dd better soon.