Can my employer punish me for missing time for a sick child, legally?

Question

I have missed six days in the last six months and been late or left early seven times in that time. 95% of that was due to my son, who has some chronic but minor health problems we are trying to figure out. I have heard I may be in "trouble" at my review today because of this. Does anyone know if my employer can legally punish me in some way for putting my child first?

I have missed six days in the last six months and been late or left early seven times in that time. 95% of that was due to my son, who has some chronic but minor health problems we are trying to figure out. I have heard I may be in "trouble" at my review today because of this. Does anyone know if my employer can legally punish me in some way for putting my child first?

Note: by "punish" I mean something to the effect of being put on probation or let go, not anything regarding compensation.

Answer 1

yes if it is a problem for them, they can do that. look at your companies policy first to see if they can punish you or not, it should vary from company to company

Answer 2

I am so sorry that you are having such troubles with your son, and I hope that things get better soon for your family.

At the same time, your personal life should not interfere with your duties at work. You and your partner, husband, or other support need to figure out how to better handle the situations. Perhaps you or your partner need a different kind of job that is more flexible: if you're not at your post doing the work you were hired to do, who is? Think about it; your employer is.

You can certainly get a bad review and even be fired for absenteeism. I suggest letting your boss know that you are aware of the problems you have caused in the office and that you are working on a better plan to ensure that you are not late and do not miss work. Be sure to follow up by coming to work more regularly and on time or, as already suggested, get a job that has more flexibility built into the schedule. All the best to you and your family.

Answer 3

Your employer is at liberty to initiate disciplinary action against if you have done so without his previous permission. Because he is paying you and you are supposed to be in his/her service for the specified duty time. If you have either left early or turned up late he can ask you an explanation. If you give an explanation as shown in your question ( Sickness of your child) your employee may pardon your unauthorised late comming and early going. But that can be on humanitarian grounds. But there is no hard and fast rule that he should always forgive you. Any way make an application in writing attached with a medical certificate showing that your child was suffering from illness and seek an apology.There is every chance that your employer may forgive you and refrain from punitive action against you.

Answer 4

This is one reason why I'd rather be my own boss. Bosses in the corporate world aren't worth an employee's time. There are some things in life that are more important than the company and the boss. Like it or not bosses, people who have children will, should and will most certainly put their child first when it comes to choosing between coming to work and staying home to take care of an ill child. . You need to except the fact that your employees have lives and can't always be at your becond call. They may work for you and you may pay them, but you don't own them.

Answer 5

Not quite sure what you mean by "punish" you, but yes, an employer can give another employee more hours or a promotion or raise or whatever else he wants to do. Although the circumstances were not of your making, you still let people down at the workplace. I know your child came first to you, as it would with any good mother. But as an employer, I must consider those whom I can depend on above those with external issues.

Answer 6

If he needs you to be on the job more reliably, he can insist that you do so. Excessive absenteeism is hard for an employer to deal with. It doesn't mean you shouldn't put your child first, but an employer has a right to expect you to be at work when you are scheduled to be there. Discuss the problem with the boss frankly at your review, and see what accomodations can be made. If you don't have a written contract, your employer can let you go for no reason at all, so be prepared to defend your position.

Answer 7

Attendance for "anyone" is a huge big deal at work, no matter what. Harrassed, as in what? Questioned about proof of why you missed work? Asked to provide documentation, did you tell them up front, your extrememly messed up and your disabilities will most likely cause you to miss work, so that they could assign you work so that those around you were not impacted by your absenses? Your vet status, sad as it sounds, wont help you here sorry. The rules of the company are desinged for everyone to adhere to. If you request a review, and reassignment with the company, you may or may not still have a job when its all over, they may not have a place to put you to ease up on your back, and be a position where someone can miss work. I learned long ago, attendance is more important than performace, and networking, and good attendance, with low output, or less quality of work, is better than a great worker with an excellent work performance. Its who knows who, whos fun to hang out with, its a shame. Never think you out perform everyone, thats attitude puts you at risk of being replaced quicker than you can imagine............you work as well as everyone else..........you missed work like everyone else, the diference is, they dont know how much more your back will cause you to miss, and your future regarding longevity, is very doubtful if you are in this bad of shape now at such a young age. Thank you for serving our country, I wish you the best, and I hope your back will be less problematic for you than its sounding.

Answer 8

A little tidbit about employers:

They can (and a lot of times, will) do anything and everything they can get away with. And most of the time, they know just where the line is. Check out your company's employee handbook for reasons for discipline/termination. I'm sure there's a catch-all they can use to, uh, alleviate, the problem(s) caused by chronic employee absenteeism and/or tardiness.

Answer 9

If this is a review, they will probably just talk to you about being late or missing work but most likely they won't fire you. Legally they could, but its not likely. There might be punishment in terms of not getting a raise or a promotion.

Answer 10

Your employer is paying you to perform your job, not care for your sick son. You are likely allowed a certain number of sick days (according to company policy) and if you exceed those your pay may be docked. If your absences have interfered with performing your job, then it is likely it will be mentioned at your review. Without knowing all of the circumstances, your supervisor may be sympathetic to your situation, but he/she is responsible to see that the work gets done. If you are not there to do it, who is?

Maybe you need to work part-time until you can resolve your son's health crisis.

Answer 11

by "trouble" do you mean you wont get a great review. I dont think employers are required to ignore your absenteeism during a review. Woudnt be fair to those people who are there all the time. Now if they were going to fire you for taking time that you were given for sick or vacation time then that might be a different story.