Should I be concerned?

[Rauch]

Hello Everyone

First post here and I will try to keep it brief.

Firstly, I have worked for the company for over 10 years with very few problems. We are not entitled to sick pay for scheduled or non-scheduled time off.

So, I have had quite a bit of time off recently which I will explain below. I am not taking days or weeks, but I have had to leave early or pop out for a bit. I ALWAYS complete any time sensitive work required of me, and any other tasks like answering the phones or replying to emails are more than adequately covered by remaining staff.

One of my parents passed away last year and I was having to leave work for an hour or two at a time due to emergencies or meetings with various health authorities. This would happen once a week, twice on rare occasions but it went on for about 3 months. Towards the end, our HR department became increasingly annoyed with me and would often ask me in for a meeting to discuss the situation and what I could do to minimise the time off. The time off reduced dramatically after my parent passed away although I was required to sort out some legal things which took a little more time.

This year, I have had to leave work on 3 separate occasions due to my own health concerns. Thankfully, they aren't serious and will be finished very soon, but I still need to meet my appointments. I have missed no more than 6 hours work time. This is taken unpaid. HR have again asked me to attend meetings to explain myself.

Last week, my partner who works from home was asked to attend work for one afternoon to undertake essential training. I had to leave one hour early in order to collect our young child from school. No afterschool is currently provided due to Covid.

I will no doubt be asked to attend another meeting this week. The meetings are normally brief, but are conducted in a passive/aggressive, confrontational manner. I keep calm and smile my way through these meetings but I am becoming increasingly worn down by them. There is no threat of disciplinary action from HR as yet.

I fully understand the companies viewpoint on the matter, but I see no option other than to care for my dying parent, attend my medical appointments and ensure our young child is not left unattended.

I understand this is a very vague question, but should I be concerned? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[MIKE770]

Ula may assist?

[ULA]

How open have you been with your employer about the need to take this time off before you have actually left early to attend to the various issues you have been facing?
I appreciate how distressing the siutation must have been for you but how well did you keep your employer apprised during the period of 3 months when you had to leave early on a weekly/twice weekly basis? Were you proactive about keeping the HR department updated or where you reacting to requests from your HR department to attend meetings.
Did you always get permission that is was ok for you to leave early on that particular day?
In regard to your medical appointments did you approach the HR department and let then know you had a medical issue for which you would need to attend a number of appointments at the time it became oobvious this was going to be needed?

As you may have gathered from my questions I am trying to ascertain how proactive you have been in working with your employer to manage these short-term absences.

[Rauch]

Hello Ula

Thanks for the reply.

Regarding the situation with my parent, I was giving at least 24hrs notice in most cases, although on some occasions I would be told about something the evening before, so I would only be able to give a few (maybe 6hrs) hours notice. I always asked/received permission and I never left work without informing HR or my general manager when HR weren't available. I also keep the directors up to date as we all work in the same complex.

The medical situation was over 48hrs notice on the first occasion, 4hrs second (emergency) then at least 14 days notice for the most recent and 2 forthcoming appointments. I have filled in the relevant paperwork required of me and provided proof of all appointments.

As a last resort, I requested in writing that my hours were reduced by 1hr each day. This would have enabled me to cover childcare and parent issues. All time sensitive work would be carried out first due to the nature of my job. All other duties are more than adequately covered by remaining staff.

This would also have reflected in my wage as I am paid hourly. The company would not have been out of pocket or inconvenienced. I have still had no answer regarding this almost 6 months later.

Thanks again. Let me know if you require any more information.

[ULA]

Do you still need reduced hours to cover caring issues for children on a regular basis?

[Rauch]

I had another meeting with HR today which was a carbon copy of previous meetings.

I don't necessarily NEED the reduced hours but it would make things so much easier. I start work before 6 a.m and I work very long days.

Reducing my hours would basically resolve any childcare issues we currently experience. It would also go a long way in redressing my work/life balance and although I have a very understanding partner, my workplace has always been something of a sore point between us. We're grateful that I have a wage coming in, but I have sacrificed an awful lot of time compared to my partners job for a lot less benefits (no sick pay, lowest possible holidays, no bonuses, no chance of promotion etc).

I am becoming increasingly aware that I will have to start looking for another job and although this doesn't necessarily upset me, I would prefer to do it with a clear head and in my own time.

[ULA]

When did you made the request to reduce your hours mentioned in your #4 post?
Did you do this as part of a formal flexible working request?