Gross misconduct ?

[karol_7101]

Hi.
My wife have a big problem at work.
Few moth ago her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Few day ago we received a phone call, that her mother condition is getting worst. As we are in UK and her mother is in Poland we decided to fly straight away. My wife is now at annual leave. she is workign fo councill as a school cleaner so she have holiday same time as schools. her holiday finishes as 18.08.2014 but between now and 18,08 there are 3 days of special big clean.
so we need to go between 28,07 and 12-08 - simply cannot afford to buy in different time.
When my wife asked for permission to take that 3 days off, her request has not been approved, and she has been told that if she will not come to work she will be dismissed.


is that really possible that she will losse her work, even if she have clean record and genuine reason?

[Johnboy007]

Re: Gross misconduct ?

You need to get medical evidence of your mother-in-laws condition.
A letter from a doctor would be a great advantage.
If your mother-in-law is extremely ill and her condition is likely to deteriorate, then the council would have a very hard time to justify dismissal.
It is very likely that a tribunal would consider the council to be very unfair, taking the circumstances into consideration.
Your wife could also ask for compassionate leave because of her mother's condition.
Good luck

[karol_7101]

Re: Gross misconduct ?

Hi. Many thanks for your reply. Feeling much safer now. Medical certificate will not be a problem, as we can easy get it and translate obce we will be in Poland. We also have contact to higher manager at council so will cało nim today.

[Johnboy007]

Re: Gross misconduct ?

Good luck,