a mother in bed looking after sick child

July 7, 2022

Should Parents Use Annual Leave or Take Unpaid Leave to Care for Sick Children?

Parenthood can feel like a bit of a minefield - especially when it comes to taking time off to care for a sick child.

The laws have changed over the years and there are now more options for parents, however, not everyone is aware of them. a mother in bed looking after sick child

So, what are they? And what is the best course of action to take?

Can I Use Annual Leave To Look After My Sick Child?

The first thing to understand is that there is a difference between annual leave and unpaid leave.

Annual leave is the leave entitlement that all employees are entitled to in order to take a break from work.

Unpaid leave, on the other hand, is leave that can be taken without pay.

There are a few things to consider when deciding to use annual leave or take unpaid leave to care for a sick child.

Firstly, consider whether you have any annual leave left that you can use. If so, then this is the best option, as it doesn't involve taking any unpaid time off.

You should check your contract or speak to your HR department to find out how much annual leave you have left.

Secondly, if you have no leave available to take, consider whether you can afford to take unpaid leave.

For most people, is usually only an option if you either have savings that you can fall back on or if your partner is working and can help support you financially.

If you decide to take unpaid leave, you will need to give your employer four weeks' notice in writing, which is another reason why taking unpaid leave for your child's sick days only really works if you have some notice in advance.

And finally, it's worth considering whether your employer would be happy for you to take annual leave or unpaid leave to care for your child.

Some employers may have a policy on this, so it's always best to check beforehand.

Your employer does not have to agree to your request, but if they do, then they should give you a date for when your leave will start.

Your rights

If you want to know what your rights are, check out this website.

Can I Take Parental Leave To Go On Holiday?

If you want to take time off to go on holiday with your child, then you can do so by taking parental leave.

Parental leave is a type of unpaid leave that allows parents to spend more time with their children.

You can take up to 18 weeks of parental leave for each child, and you can start this leave any time before your child turns 18.

To take parental leave, you need to give your employer eight weeks' notice in writing.

Largest Impact On Women And The Self-Employed

While the right to take time off to care for a sick child is a welcome one, it's important to note that this right is not without its drawbacks.

For one, the right to take unpaid leave can have a high impact on women, who are more likely than men to take time off work to care for children.

This is because women are more likely to work in sectors where unpaid leave is not an option, and they are also more likely to be the primary carers for children.

This can also be a problem for self-employed parents, who may not be able to take time off work without losing income.

Additionally, it's worth noting that taking time off work to care for a sick child can have a negative impact on your career.

This is because you may miss out on important work opportunities, and you may also find it difficult to catch up on work when you return.

If you decide to take time off to care for a sick child, then it's important to weigh up the pros and cons before making your decision.

Extending statutory sick leave?

A survey carried out by Mumsnet (in partnership with Harriet Harman MP) revealed that a large number of working mothers stated they would be more likely to stay in work if they were able to extend their statutory sick leave to cover caring for a sick child.

At present, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid for up to 28 weeks, but this does not cover the time needed to care for a sick child.

The survey found that the average mother takes three days off per year to care for a sick child, and that 71% of mothers have taken unauthorised time off work to do so.

The government has said that it is "sympathetic" to the idea of extending SSP to cover caring for a sick child, but has not committed to making any changes.

FAQs

Can I take time off work to care for my sick child?

Yes, you have the right to take time off work to care for your sick child.

This includes taking time off to take them to hospital appointments or to stay at home with them if they are too ill to go to school.

Can I take unpaid leave to care for my sick child?

Yes, you can take unpaid leave to care for your sick child, but you need to give your employer four weeks' notice in writing.

Can an employee take annual leave instead of sick leave?

No, an employee cannot take annual leave instead of sick leave. Annual leave is a separate entitlement that can only be taken when the employee is fit and well.

Can my employer refuse unpaid parental leave?

Yes, your employer can refuse unpaid parental leave, but they must give you a reason for doing so.

Is parental leave paid or unpaid?

Parental leave is unpaid, but you may be entitled to receive Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, or Shared Parental Leave if you meet the eligibility criteria.

I need to take time off to care for my sick child – what are my rights?

You have the right to take time off work to care for your sick child. This includes taking time off to take them to hospital appointments or to stay at home with them if they are too ill to go to school.

You do not need your employer's permission to take this time off, but you should try and give them as much notice as possible.

If you need to take more than two weeks off, then you might be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.

My employer has said I can't take time off to care for my sick child – what can I do?

If your employer has said that you cannot take time off to care for your sick child, then you should speak to them about this.

You may be able to come to an agreement about taking unpaid leave or using annual leave instead.

If you are not able to reach an agreement, then you could make a complaint to your local authority's environmental health department or the Health and Safety Executive.

Wrapping Up:

Caring for a sick child is not a linear task, but parents still have the right to take time off work to do so.