We are receiving reports that some local managers are telling NHS staff that they should take annual leave or unpaid leave if their child’s school is closed because education staff are on strike.
Those who work in the NHS are very aware that it is a 24 hour 7 day a week service, and staff regularly have to organise child care at specific times of the year such as Christmas or other school holidays.
However in circumstances where child care, or another alternative work around such as a shift swap, cannot be arranged at short notice, NHS staff with children should be able to rely upon local flexible working policies and specifically on short time, time off for domestic emergencies.
Your board will have a ‘local’ policy which is based on the PIN guideline.
If you are being refused short term emergency leave please speak to your local UNISON branch.