Days off to care for children.

[clashcityrocker]

DEPENDANTS LEAVE    Employees have the right to reasonable unpaid time off to deal with an emergency involving dependants. Although the statutory provision for time off to look after a dependant is unpaid, many of the circumstances may be covered by Special Leave provisions, which may be paid. Post Office Ltd may, in its discretion, give paid leave to deal with urgent domestic distress and bereavement. See Time off For Dependants Policy for further details.

While I understand the problem with sick children (especially if you are not the bread winner in the family), from my limited experience 5 days paid leave in under a year is mighty generous.

On a slightly separate note - if a manger has to go home due to a child being unwell, who decides if they are paid or unpaid and shouldn't that information be common knowledge? Or is it one rule for us and another for them?

[fishtank]

Sorry Sherpa...the manager is right.


ROYAL MAIL GROUP LTD PEOPLE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK POLICY TEMPLATE


• The line manager will decide whether to grant special leave with or without pay. Some situations will automatically be without pay (career breaks, dependants leave and extended leave after maternity leave).

[fishtank]

Edit: They cannot force me to take it as annual leave though can they?

No.
That would be your choice.

[somerset]

[quote="Sherpas Rule"]Since last October I've had to take around 5 days off to look after my daughter when she's been full of the cold / sick etc. seeing as I can't expect my wife to do it all the time . Please . Someone tell me that this post is a joke ? RM employ you and pay you to work . That is what they expect.I suspect you are a youngster? If my daughter gets a cold ( she is in her 30s ) I don't take time off to look after her ! Five days in eight months ? Have you no friends or relatives to help out ? And what about your workmates who have to do extra to cover your duty? Bet they just love that ?

[fishtank]

There is a certain lack of understanding from "older" members of staff who seem to have selective memories when it comes the differences with what constituted childcare in the 60's,70's and 80's and what the situation is now.
The notion that the wee wifey can stay at home to look after the kids has gone,the extended family with willing grandparents has gone since they usually have jobs,the idea that you can hand a 10 year old a key and let them get on with it has gone.
Nurseries will not let a sick kid near their door...what exactly do people expect parents to do if their child is sick....take them to work?
What kind of parent turns up at a friend or relative's house with a sick kid anyway?
"I know the kid is sick but i've got some really important catalogues to deliver..."
As for extra workload for colleagues...how does that work?

[somerset]

Since last October I've had to take around 5 days off to look after my daughter when she's been full of the cold / sick etc. seeing as I can't expect my wife to do it all the time . Please . Someone tell me that this post is a joke ? RM employ you and pay you to work . That is what they expect.I suspect you are a youngster? If my daughter gets a cold ( she is in her 30s ) I don't take time off to look after her ! Five days in eight months ? Have you no friends or relatives to help out ? And what about your workmates who have to do extra to cover your duty? Bet they just love that ?

I start at 4am so phoning any relatives to drive in from 40 miles away is out the question. I'm sure you don't have to take time off to look after your 30 year old daughter, slightly different with a 4 year old.
Any other patronising bullshit you'd like to offer me?

40 miles away ? No close friends nearby ? Neighbours ?

[somerset]

"As for extra workload for colleagues...how does that work?

Someone has to cover his duty ?

[fishtank]

"As for extra workload for colleagues...how does that work?

Someone has to cover his duty ?

And they do that for free around your way?

[somerset]

Since last October I've had to take around 5 days off to look after my daughter when she's been full of the cold / sick etc. seeing as I can't expect my wife to do it all the time . Please . Someone tell me that this post is a joke ? RM employ you and pay you to work . That is what they expect.I suspect you are a youngster? If my daughter gets a cold ( she is in her 30s ) I don't take time off to look after her ! Five days in eight months ? Have you no friends or relatives to help out ? And what about your workmates who have to do extra to cover your duty? Bet they just love that ?

I start at 4am so phoning any relatives to drive in from 40 miles away is out the question. I'm sure you don't have to take time off to look after your 30 year old daughter, slightly different with a 4 year old.
Any other patronising bullshit you'd like to offer me?

40 miles away ? No close friends nearby ? Neighbours ?

Who are you like? My manager? I don't have to explain myself to you.

Okay Sherpa ,point taken,sorry to have upset a scottish worker. Hope all is well for you and the famaily.

[somerset]

"As for extra workload for colleagues...how does that work?

Someone has to cover his duty ?

And they do that for free around your way?

The DOM tells everyone they have to take part of the duty ! 20 mins at least !

[P13]

"As for extra workload for colleagues...how does that work?

Someone has to cover his duty ?

And they do that for free around your way?

The DOM tells everyone they have to take part of the duty ! 20 mins at least !

If you do not have time you don't take it , or you should claim overtime if you so wish