Survey onfamily friendly working

Contents

Maternity leave and pay page 1

Parental leave page 8

Time off for Dependants page11

Flexibility page15

Fathers: Paternity leave page20

Fathers: parental leave, time off for dependants, flexibility page 23

GMB survey on family friendly working

Thissurvey took place in Autumn 2000.Nearly 200 people responded to a survey distributed to GMB workplacerepresentatives and in the GMB women's magazine "Working Women." Most of these were GMB members, althoughthis was not always the case. In somecases, women members replied on behalf of their partners who may not have beenGMB members.

Maternity leave and pay: summary

Thissection includes responses made by the women and some by men who specificallymentioned maternity leave and/or pay in their responses.

Mostrespondents mentioned returning from maternity leave too early. The overwhelming reasons mentioned by mostrespondents was because the money ran out.Other reasons included

Statutory leave ended and could not be extended

Wanted to return to the same job and not an alternative

Concern about career

Theissues arising from low maternity pay and consequent shortening of maternityleave included:

Missing out on important time with the new baby

This was particularly acute where the baby had healthproblems or where the mother had had a difficult birth

Indebtedness and financial problems, particularly wherethere were other children or where the partner was not working

Tiredness and health problems caused to the pregnant workerwho wanted to wait until the last possible time to begin maternity leave, toleave more time after the baby was born

Early return causing problems with breastfeeding.

Mostwomen thought that maternity leave should be longer. They thought that maternity pay should be higher, and paid forlonger. Other concerns included thesickness trigger.

Thisreport does not quote from the responses of those who experienced health andsafety problems, as these should have been resolved under currentlegislation. They include

Having to do too much heavy work

Having to work the same hours, including in one case nightwork

Having to do stand-up work.

Maternity leave and pay: comments

An office clerk from Hull took six months maternityleave. She "would have liked moretime before the birth but the money would not have stretched, also a littlemore afterwards." 1

A senior customer advisor working in insurance from Cardiff,and mother of a three year-old took 8 months off. She returned when her money ran out plus she couldn't extend hermaternity leave any further. Shethought that maternity leave should be paid for a longer period. 2

A trainee manager in a West Midlands local authority tookthe statutory 18 weeks maternity leave when her child was born. "I left work six weeks before the duedate in order to have the maximum time after the birth. It would have been easier to have leftearlier but still retain sufficient time after the birth, but finances were aconsideration."3

A local government policy officer from Burton had to makesure her project-based work could be smoothly handed over or left in a state tobe picked up on her return. Shereturned from maternity leave after six months as she "thought my careerwould be affected and the money was running out. More importantly I couldn't extend my maternity without itaffecting my pay and my holidays."4

An assistant manager of a hostel in the Manchester area tooksix months maternity leave. She wouldhave liked to take 12 months "but had to come back as the money ranout". She thought that maternityleave should be extended to 12 months.9

A Business Development Manager in the West Midlands took 7months maternity leave. "I washappy to return at the time but in hindsight I wish I had taken longer. I believe that I could have taken a year outwhich I would have liked to do. Afterthis time, money would have been prohibitive."11

One respondent chose to take 5 months but wished it couldhave been longer. "But I had todecide before the baby was born and like most people I left as late as Icould - dared against the advice ofthe obstetric/gyn. consultant. She feltthat there should not be such short limits for maternity leave and was shockedwhen friends in jobs with less than two years service had to go back after 14weeks (now extended to 18 weeks). Shenoted that "babies only start having "solid" food at 4 monthsand this contradicts encouraging breast feeding. I returned at 5 months but continued to breast feed until 12months; the first two months back were a struggle with milk supplies as hewouldn't bottle feed, with hindsight I wish I had gone back to work at 10-12months" but she wasn't able "even with my 8 years in one job." She also said that "while I think thatit's great for all this support of family tax credits, child benefit,maternity pay, time off for ante-natal appointments which are free, free birthetc etc, I still feel some disappointment that this didn't extend to fertilitytreatment, not available in our postcode area, not covered by medical insurance it came as a shock to find we needed it and a further shock (within minutes!)at how much we'd have to pay. TO alarge extent I feel I am now getting something back but that others, luckierthan ourselves take it all for granted.I think it's an anomaly to support families but to penalise those thatstruggle to start one." 12

A Day Care manager from Wigan took just two months, after aCaesarian birth although this was extended with sick leave. This was influenced by the lack of money.13

A sewing machinist from South Yorkshire took 18 weeksmaternity leave. She explained that she"finished work on the Friday, had my son on Sunday morning. But I still had to go back to work after my18 weeks pay ran out although I was able to have full maternityleave." She felt that "Ifyou are entitled to full maternity leave you should be paid for all the fullleave, not just 18 weeks."14

A Bolton based grounds maintenance worker and father of a five-year-oldand a two month-old said that "more weeks' full pay on maternity wouldhave been very helpful for my wife who is now half-way through her presentmaternity and is on 60 per week. Thismakes us 70 a week worse off for 12 weeks." 18

A secretary from Surrey was able to take 12 months'maternity leave and said that she was "very happy" with this. 22

A complaints officer in Hampshire took six months' maternityleave but felt that she returned too early and left too late but she"could not extend her maternity leave". She pointed out that "other countries get more paid leavethan the UK when you have children." 25

A customer service assistant for an airline in NorthernIreland took four months paid leave and the rest "at my own expensebecause I felt that I needed that time with my baby." She said that "I feel that instead ofunpaid leave etc, there should be some financial help given to parents who needand want this time with their children as not all can afford unpaidleave." 27

An accountant working in Hampshire had bad morning sicknessbut didn't feel she could take time off work because it was pregnancyrelated. She wanted clearer guidelinesas to what was acceptable to her employer for such sick leave. She took five months maternity leaveincluding 4 weeks holiday, but "I felt this was too soon to return [babywas only 4 months old] but had to return for financial reasons." She wanted longer fully paid maternityleave, as she currently only got eight weeks fully paid ie two more weeksfully paid by her employer. 31

A Staffordshire based factory operator experienced faintingand dizzy spells during her pregnancy, but was not allowed to move to a sittingdown job at her work. She was placed onsick leave in March 1999 as "they were worried about my dizzy spells, mydaughter was not due till August...They made me start my maternity leave [six weeks before the due datebecause of the sickness trigger] and I was allowed 3 months leave. My daughter arrived two weeks late so I hadto return to work when she was two months old.When I returned to work they put me on the sitting down job as they werestill worried about my dizzy spells, which they should have done when I waspregnant then I would have had more time off with my daughter I think that you should work up to when everyou want till you take your maternity leave.And I think that you should have at least six months with your childwhen you have been there two years with enough money to live on." 32. A colleague at her factory also cited thedifficulties caused by having to stand up all day. 33

A communications worker from Oldham took six monthsmaternity leave and felt that she could only return because she was workingpart time. She felt that you"should be able to extend maternity leave for up to 12 months withoutaffecting job security Maternity pay needs to be looked at." 36

A clerical officer in Wembly North London took 19 weeksleave, but was unable to extend to her 29 weeks entitlement as she would nothave been paid. "At 18 weeks I wason nil pay." She felt that maternity leave should be extended with pay:"29 weeks for me was not enough, you miss out on a very important timewith your child." 38

A complaints advisor in Basingstoke returned after 37weeks. She "would prefer moreleave after the baby is born, ideally a full year. I had to return to work because I needed the money but I couldhave survived longer on leave if the option had been there. Finances are not a particular problemalthough I would like more money while on maternity leave" 39

A South London mother took 11 months' maternity leave whileworking for British Gas. She said thatshe "was happy with this. If Iwanted to I could have returned to work earlier or took advantage of a 5 yearcareer break and still return to work."When she returned she was able to ease herself back in before having toreach the same sales targets. Shepointed out that in her current job as a leisure industry host, she was on aone year contract and had to work the same shifts as her colleagues. "It is only now that I have been ableto change one of my shifts because I'm as reliable, on time, few sick days asmy childless colleagues." 46

A mother of a son, now living in Brighton was sacked forbeing pregnant. When she went back towork her wages, working hours and nature of her work all changed as she"had to take whatever was going. Ihad four jobs at the same time at one stage." She felt that there needed to be a "change in attitude fromemployers towards women and pregnant women, time off for parental leave [and]more punitive measures for employers who flagrantly ignore the rules." 47

A local authority worker had to return when her baby wasfour months old as she was on half pay and could not afford to stay off. 50

A product developer in a food manufacturer in York said thatshe had no problems during her pregnancy: "Work was great I only had tomention I couldn't manage and they would sort it out." She took six months off: "Money wasshort but I had always planned to return to work around the six monthsmark. I felt I was ready for someintellectual conversation." 52

An accountant for a confectionery manufacturer in York"felt obliged to return after 14 weeks the "norm" couldn'tafford to stay off much longer and thought my career would be adverselyaffected." She thought thereshould be "longer full pay maternity leave". 54

One respondent took six months maternity leave but said thatafter that "I intended to stay at home but my [private sector] boss hadproblems recruiting a replacement for me so I worked 50/50 at home and in theoffice for a few months until he recruited successfully. I felt pressurised to work when I had chosennot to and I did not need to financially." 55

An invoice clerk in York went on her employer's five yearchild care break "But I found I needed to return, because of financialproblems. I returned on a temporarycontract working about 25 hours a week in the same department I left." 58

A cook and mother of three from Wigan took three monthsmaternity leave for her youngest. She"would have liked longer but couldn't afford to". She wanted longer paid maternity leave. 69

A technical scientist working in York "went backbecause the money ran out quite early" so she "could only supportseven months. I think maternity payshould be for longer ([employer] is the minimum allowed) and should be fullpay." 74

A call handler from Halesowen, W Midlands, returned after 3months as "my maternity pay ended, so I needed to return to work. Ideally I would have had another 4-6 weeksas I was breastfeeding A [occupational] returners' bonus is paid for maternitybut I would rather extend my maternity leave and use this bonus beforereturning." 75

A manufacturing operator at Remploy suffered high bloodpressure during her pregnancy. Herdaughter was born 3 months early, just 2lbs 6oz. She returned three months after the birth. "I could have done with more time offwith her being in special care for two months after the birth and she was only4lbs when she came out." Shethought that "Employers should be educated in pregnancy and how it affectswomen at work. It's disgraceful, theway men treat work as a priority, yet when it's their wife, they won't let themlift a matchbox to avoid hurting themselves." 76

A mother of three from Portadown was happy with 18 weeksleave returning back to her part time clerical job.79

An HR officer from York returned to full time work afterthree months for financial reasons, but she was upgraded. She felt that "longer [maternity] at ahigher rate of SMP would help finances." 81

A call handler in Cardiff "wasn't happy that I had tocome back to work after three months, purely for financial reasons." She wanted an increase in maternity pay tosix months at least. 83

A Cardiff based claims advisor came back after 16 weeks:"I had to return as I had been paid everything I was entitled to up to 16weeks and couldn't afford to stay off without pay Maternity leave should belonger with full pay." 86. Hercolleague returned after six months "I felt I had to return too early money ran out." 87

Another Sunderland sewing machinist said that she returnedfrom maternity leave because "I needed to get back to work because wecan't afford to stop on maternity leave because [I am] only getting sick money[lower level SMP] What I think about maternity is like other countries weshould be allowed to stay on maternity leave until our children are one yearold and still receive full maternity pay and be allowed time out when attendingappointments (ie hospital, doctor, baby clinic)." 100

A Home Care worker from Sheffield took 40 weeks' leave"Yes, I was happy with the arrangements but would have liked to have goneback to work after the child was one." 119

An administrative assistant from York said that "I knewbefore becoming pregnant our finances wouldn't permit a lengthy maternityleave." She took 14 weeks. 121

A courier and father of a baby said that "maternity payshould be more near to the pay normally received". 122

A part time primary school teacher in Sandwell with a sevenweek old baby said "I'm still on maternity leave and I'm dreading goingback to work as I have been diagnosed with post natal depression. However I have to go back to work because Icannot afford to live once my money runs out." 125

A Deli assistant in a Rossendale supermarket took 19 weeks'maternity leave and returned part time to the same job. "I would have liked to have taken the29 weeks but couldnt afford to stop off any longer. It's a case of having to come to work for the money. I think you should get longer time offpaid." 127. Her colleague said"I felt that I had returned too early [after 18 weeks] but because offinancial matters I had no choice I think it would help new mothers if thematernity leave was extended and it was paid leave." 128

An information systems manager in York took five monthsleave: "I would have preferred more time off but I ran out of money Moneythrough maternity leave would not allow me to live and pay my bills. I put aside money, once it had gone Ireturned to work. I would like to see90% pay throughout maternity leave.Some companies do it but it's not a rule." 129

A machinist working in Ashington took five months: "Ineeded the money because my partner was on poor money. I think we should have more than 60 a weekmaternity pay." 130

An education welfare officer from Grimsby returned afterfour months: "I would have liked longer maternity leave but due tofinances I had to go back earlier." 131

A social services worker in Brent returned after 9 months 2weeks: "the money ran out and there was a restructuring of the serviceunit at that time I though my career would be affected, [having had a] lackof information from my employer about my position within the newstructure.".. When she returned "The nature of the job was at a lowerstandard. I did not feel part of theteam [and I had to] prepare for interviews for the jobs in the newstructure. Human resources informationand support was sub-standard." 133

A conveyancer in Islington wanted "flexible workinghours for pregnant staff and facility for working from home." She returned after six months "I wasnot happy with this. I returned as soonas the maternity pay ceased. I had totake a career break when childcare arrangements did not work out." This meant that she returned to a differentjob with no court work. She was nothappy with this but was "glad to have a job again."

A care worker from South London took 18 weeks leave "Iwanted to leave earlier/go back later but could not afford to. Any extra time off would have beenunpaid!!! I was bringing then twochildren up hence financially could not afford to take more timeoff."140

A machinist in a jeanswear company in Dundee took fourmonths off. She "had to return towork for financial reasons. I feelworking mothers should have more time with full maternity pay." 141.Her colleague who returned after six months said "I would haveliked to take a lot longer off but I was paying a retainer fee for a full timechild minder and no money was coming in."She appreciated the free milk, lighter duties and early breaks providedby her employer. 142

A presser from Sunderland said that "SMP is not enoughand left us heavily in the red with the bank by the time I was forced to returnto work." 146

A confectionary process worker in York said that"before I left work I tried to save as much money as I could, but it ranout. So I had to return to work"after seven months' leave. 148

A respondent who returned after five months two weeks saidthat the "Money ran out." Shethought that you "need to be paid... for the whole of the [maternityleave] period." 156

Another respondent returned after five months because"money ran out, husband lost [his] job". 157

An agency worker on a mental health team in Sussex took just3 months maternity leave. "I wasan agency worker some government pay whilst on maternity leave as I was noton a permanent contract". Shereturned because of the "lack of money ex partner's income of only11,000 p.a." 160

A senior buyer in packaging took eight months' leave andsaid that she "wanted to return earlier!" 161

A local authority worker returned after 18 weeks. "This was my decision for financialreasons. I also took annual leave atthe beginning and end of my maternity leave in order to extend the time I hadoff work." 168

Another local authority worker took three months'leave. She "would have liked tohave longer but could not afford any more time off unpaid." She returnedto job share on an 18 hour week. 171

A receptionist in a packaging company in Chesterfield tooknine months off. "I did work untilthe day before I had my baby because we're so busy I would have liked to have at least a year off but it was notallowed at my company so I took as much as I could and used my holidayentitlement as well." She wanted"Better pay conditions for maternity leave and be able to take longer offeg councils and NHS seem to have really good conditions eg half pay whilst onmaternity leave and can have up to five years off from work. Why can't all companies be the same?"173

An assistant personnel officer for a local authority in theWest Midlands had seven months leave.She was not happy with this but "had to return to work due to paidmaternity leave and savings ran out Maternity leave is adequate but thematernity pay is very poor."174

A part time factory worker in a biscuit factory in Liverpooltook 29 weeks' leave. "Yes, I wasquite happy with this." Acolleague took six months and was happy with this "but some of the timewas on reduced pay and this should have been on full pay." 177

A manageress in a caterers in Nottingham took sixweeks: "I worked till the day Ihad her, I had my own business so had to return." 178

A process worker in a confectionary plant in York took 10months one week. "I was quitehappy at this, but I would have loved to have the full year off but money wasrunning out by this time... I think mothers should be pad maternity pay for 20weeks say, instead of the 12 weeks that is given at present." 181

One respondent who took six months said that this was"not long enough maternity leave ran out, money ran out after 18 weeks! definitely not long enough Maternity leave (unpaid) should be extended from6 to 12 months." 183

An engineering support manager for a beer manufacturers inLeeds took 29 weeks. "In order tospend more time with my child I worked up to 2 weeks before the birth which wasvery tiring. The time should be longerand with pay for longer (only 6 weeks at 90% of wage) [I would like to see]longer leave with pay and longer leave unpaid." 185

A business systems analyst for the same brewer in Leeds tookeight months off. The "money didrun out, but I decided to go into a little bit of debt so that I could spendmore time If I won the lottery life would be a little bit different (no, notif I won 10) Maternity pay does not encourage mums to take a long time off,as mentioned earlier we took a conscious decision to go into debt so that Icould take my full maternity entitlement." She was the first one at heremployers to return on a job share basis. 186

A careline advisor for a confectioners in York took 29 weeksand said that she "returned too early as could not extend maternityleave." 187

A production leader in Gloucester took 18 weeks. "Financially I had to return towork. Maternity leave should beextended with SMP for at least six months.It's enough to manage with a new baby/children to have pressure of moneyworries." 188

A machinist in Co Durham returned after three months. "I came back early because I wasoffered my old job back on the same line that I had worked for 14 years. If I had come back later I would have beenplaced anywhere in the factory...Maternity pay is a joke, I would have got more pay being on thesick." 189

An admin supervisor in a chemical manufacturers in Cumbriareturned after 18 weeks and was not happy: "I had to work right up untilthe due date so I could stay off longer after.I couldn't afford extended leave as it is unpaid after 18 weeks."

Parental leave: summary

Thissection covers responses by women. Forresponses by men see the last section.

Justone male respondent had taken parental leave.Reasons for not taking it were

It being unpaid

The December 1999 cut off

And to a lesser extent lack of flexibility.

Manyrespondents were confused between parental leave and time off fordependents. Many thought parental leavewas there for family emergencies.Comments in this respect have been included under the Time of forDependents section.

Thislack of understanding appeared in some cases to stretch to human resources andline manager. There were somesuggestions that the new rights should be more widely publicised, particularlyto pregnant women through the workplace.

Parental leave: comments

An office clerk from Hull said that parental leave wouldhelp, but more if it was paid.Unfortunately her son was born before the December 1999 cut-off and sodoes not qualify. She thought thatparental leave needed to be more flexible as well.1

A local government policy officer from Burton said that shecouldn't afford to take unpaid leave.4

A Business Development Manager in the West Midlands saidthat she "would like to dedicate as much of my time as possible tonurturing and caring for my son.Unfortunately finances prohibit thisI think that [parental leave] should be available to anyone with a childunder school age not just those born after 15/12/99. I would use the time to spend quality time with my child Even when children are at school thisarrangement would be useful to cater for long school holidays etc."11

A Day Care manager and single parent said that she could notafford to take unpaid leave. "If Icould I would not work in the first place." She took annual leave or sick leave to deal with familyemergencies. She felt that there shouldbe paid leave for older children during school holidays so that not all herleave was used up and pointed out that unpaid leave could affect hersuperannuation pension.13

A mother-of-two administrative officer in a local authoritysaid that she could not afford to take leave unpaid and thought that the noticeperiod was too long. 15

A textiles worker from Grangemouth felt that parental leaveshould be extended to children born before 15/12/1999. 17

A complaints officer in Hampshire took six months' maternityleave because she "could not extend her maternity leave". She felt that parental leave would be usefulto extend maternity leave. 25

A clerical officer from Wembly said that the governmentshould "grant leave (paid) for when your child has its first day atschool. [at her workplace] specialleave is granted for graduation, so why not the first day at school."

A minutes clerk from Luton said that both her children wereborn before 15/12/99 one on 12^th December 1999. "These cut-off dates aren'trealistic." 48

A product developer in a food manufacturer in York said thatshe had now finished her family and both children would soon be at school,neither being entitled to parental leave."My concerns will be parental leave is it for children overfive? I thought not, so why not?"52

An invoice clerk working in York said that "my childwas born in 1996 so this doesn't apply to us, but I think this is wrong. It should apply to all parents with youngchildren at nursery and at school." 58

A manufacturing operator in Remploy thought of parentalleave "How the hell can a family on low wages, even with a meagre sum ofbenefit afford to take unpaid leave, with all the extra costs of raising a newaddition to the family. Free nappieswould be more use than unpaid leave." 76

A Cardiff based insurance agent and mother of two pre-schoolchildren born after the cut-off date said that "I feel the parental leaveintroduced by the government should not be restricted by a date. This should apply across the board." 84

A Home Care worker said of parental leave "Emotionallyit would be fantastic. But my husbandwould not be able to take unpaid leave.I work because my husband does not earn enough to support twofamilies." 119

A part time primary teacher from Sandwell was not sure ifparental leave was applicable at any time or only immediately after the childis born. "Neither of us could afford to take it unpaid anyway." She continued "Please be sympathetic tothe things I have outlined in this questionnaire, especially where money isconcerned. I strongly believe thatwomen or men who are parents of pre-school children should be paid to stay athome if they wish, and have their job held open until their child is old enoughfor school full time. Obviously notfull salary, but at least as much as those get without a job. In this country the working person isheavily penalised." 125

A part time deli assistant in a Rossendale supermarket andmother of two with one on the way said "I couldn't afford to take parentalleave." 127. Her colleague agreedthat "It would not be any good to me as I cannot afford to have any unpaidleave off." 128

A social services worker in Brent said that parental leave"would allow me to spend more quality time with my son". Her son was too old to qualify. 133

A conveyancer from Islington with a five-year old son saidthat parental leave would help."In times when I have to stay with my son at home because he is illand under medication whereby he has to stay at home. I had leave turned down." 136

An education worker from South London and mother of a babysaid "I did not take parental leave.If I had the opportunity I would have taken it to spend with my childIt would be nice if employers could inform employees of all the [new] rights atthe point of issuing MATB form." 139

A care worker in South London said that parental leave"would be helpful but I could not afford to even if half pay wasoffered that would help." 140

A machinist in a jeanswear company said that unpaid parentalleave "is not suitable as you still have to pay your childminder or loseyour place." 142

A sample hand in Pennywell said that "I think youshould get more money when you have to stay at home to look afterchildren. You don't get much help whenyou are not working and your partner is.You don't get much time with the children when they are growing up. You miss out a lot." 147

A clerical worker from Belfast said that when she had herchildren "parental leave did not apply.I feel that it would have been very useful especially whenchildminders were off. Parental leaveand emergency family leave are both very important for those with children whoare working." 153

A senior buyer in packaging said that parental leave"would be great for holidays, but my child was born before15.12.99". 161

A full time worker with two children born before 1999 said"the new 13 weeks unpaid leave scheme should be for parents of allchildren under 16 not just those born after 15 Dec 1999! What about the rest of us?" 162

An assistant personnel officer for a local authority in theWest Midlands felt that the cut-off date was "unfair, because my child istwo and I do not qualify. Parentalleave would be beneficial to use for emergencies and school holidays. An amount of paid parental leave wouldobviously be more beneficial Parental leave is limited by the"cut-off" date and is again without pay." 174

A packer in a biscuit factory in Liverpool thought thatparental leave would help "as my working hours are not flexible All companies should have paid parentalleave." 176

A nurse in Keighley said that her child was born before thecut off date and that she couldn't afford unpaid leave. "I have been informed that parentalleave is at the discretion of my manger eg "critical illness"". 179

The husband of a process worker in a confectionary plant in Yorktook two weeks' parental leave when their child was born "but I don'tthink we will use it that often because we couldn't afford to." 181

A machinist in Co Durham said "Both parents should getpaid leave so they can adapt to looking after their new baby. A man would like time off to help hiswife." 189

An operator for a lighting manufacturers said that parentalleave "would help but it needs to be paid."

Time off fordependents (TOD leave): summary

Thissection covers responses by women. Forresponses by men see the last section.

Mostrespondents had not heard of this right, many calling for it to be a right, andothers welcoming it but not sure if it had come in or not. The main issue here was it being unpaid, sothat most would use annual leave, special leave or sick leave inpreference. Some had experiencedproblems getting time off for emergencies and thought that this would help, buttheir responses showed that the entitlement is not well understood byemployers/line managers.

Mosthad been shown sympathy by their line manager/employer when requesting annualleave at short notice. But concern wasexpressed about what would happen when this was used up. TOD leave was welcomed in this instance.

TOD leave: comments

An office clerk from Hull welcomed time off for dependants:"because [my son] is looked after by relatives it [managing familyemergencies] is not too much of a problem.But this new right gives peace of mind if ever needed. Again, payment would give more peace ofmind.1

An insurance claims advisor from Cardiff said that time offfor dependants would help. "Anyannual leave has been taken for my son's illness, or my mother's illness: asshe cares for my son, if she is ill I have to use my annual leave". However "my manager is veryunderstanding and allows me to take annual leave at short notice and I am nevermade to feel guilty about doing so."She was also able to return to work part time.2

A local government policy officer from Burton said that bothshe and her partner had saved up holidays for emergencies which were sharedbetween her partner and herself."Hopefully we will have enough to cover emergencies."4

An assistant manager of a hostel in the Manchester area tookannual leave or her husband did when her children were ill. She felt that there should be paid leave forfamily sickness. 9

A Business Development Manager in the West Midlands saidthat she currently relied on her parents in emergency situations, but she wouldtake unpaid leave but had not been aware that she was entitled to it. 11

One respondent felt that "just clarifying theentitlement would relieve the guilt at having to take time off, even asholiday, and resentment from others."12

An administrative officer in a local authority said that shecould not afford to take leave unpaid but thought that the right to time offfor dependant would be "good in an emergency and the scheme would help alot." 15

A clothing worker from Skelmersdale felt that TOD leavewould help "because if my child is not well enough to go to nursery I haveto take the time off work where you don't get paid or even may get awarning. This new right is a very goodidea, it will help parents a lot." 19

A worker in a Lampshade manufacturers in Staffordshire feltthat TOD leave would help. "But ifmy child was ill she would come first no matter what. Then I'd sort it out with the employer later. I've never worked for anyone who has said noin an emergency." She would alsolike to receive extra leave to take children to the doctor's, dentist etc -"a mother needs to be there". 34

A clerical assistant from Fife had had difficulty gettingtime off at short notice. She "wasinitially told that a day's holiday could not be given as there was not enoughcover in the section. Holiday waseventually granted." 37

A complaints advisor in Basingstoke, mother of one andexpecting a second child, said that "I anticipate that [TOD leave] will bevery useful with the new baby. With myfirst child I found that I had used all my annual leave looking after him whenhe was ill which left no holiday time for us.Parental leave would prevent this situation and the loss of anoccasional week's pay would not be a problem." 39

An engineer from Birmingham said that "if my child isill and I need time off with her then I have to take holiday. This new right could help but it is unpaid,I cannot afford to take time off unpaid.She wanted paid emergency family leave from the government. 41

A customer service senior host in South London said that TODleave would help. "I have been offwork and late due to my daughter's illness and as a result I have found themanagers have requested an investigation into my work". 42

A host in the leisure industry in Greenwich and mother ofthree simply said when asked how she managed for family emergencies "Ican't". She wanted "time offwith money and no hassle" from the government. 45

A product developer in a food manufacturer in York said"This new right could have helped.I had not realised about this ruling, in the last seven years of usingthe same childminder she has had a lot of time off sick. If this is the case, I have to phonefriends, family, beg, borrow, it is so difficult." 52

One respondent said that "In my previous job (inprivate sector) my son had to have an emergency operation. He required 2-3 weeks of care from me by myboss refused to let me have the time off.I had to take him to my parents in the Midlands and didn't see him muchduring this time. I made a decision toleave this job and work for an employer with a more liberalattitude." In her new job she hasflexitime and can use this for emergencies.Her new employer also allows her to leave early for hospitalappointments etc. 55

A shipping administrator in York returned to work after 4months maternity leave, partly because the money ran out, and partly because apart time job was advertised and "I wanted to return to a part timerole." But she was "not atall happy with the wages. I returnedpart time at a grade lower but wages pro-ratad were much less even thoughbefore leaving on maternity leave I was told they would not bereduced." She now worked full timeon flexitime but was concerned because her son was starting school and her flexicore hours did not fit with school hours. 56

A Plymouth classroom assistant ended her maternity leave ina previous job to find that "hours could not be adjusted re part timeuntil you had returned for a period of full time. This proved difficult as my family live in Scotland and myhusband's family work so childcare issues do arise. I had to totally change direction, leave my full time post andfind other employment to accommodate my family." 57

A Plymouth classroom assistant said that she and her husbandshare responsibility for dentist or child sickness etc. "But this means either of us calling insick. As a working parent I would likeit to be accepted that if my children are ill I could be with then withouthaving a sick period myself. I enjoy myjob and wouldnt want to be at home, but there are times when the family mustcome first. This new right [TOD leave]is a parent's right! I understand thatit could be easily abused but as a parent that also enjoys working I do feelthat its a right every family needs. Ialways feel uncomfortable telling my employer that my child is ill so I tellthem that I'm ill. This can become aproblem if I really do need time off for myself. I also believe both men and women should have the samerights. In today's society we should behelping families!" 57

A Yorkshire secretary felt that in emergencies she copedwith a "juggle between parents taking time off. I would like companies to inform their staff of the above right I didn't realise this was the case and I work in human resources!!! I would like companies to have a plan inplace to cover emergency family leave so as soon as you join or after you havehad a family you know where you stand in an emergency. Often in companies it's up to the discretionof your manager and so everyone is dealt with differently." 72

A call handler from Halesowen, W Midlands said that"this new right would be very helpful in time of emergencies. However my employer does not advertise thesedetails, so I was not aware of this right until very recently when a colleaguewas in this position." 75

A call handler working in Cardiff said that "my son hashad an operation to fit a cochlear implant I tool domestic leave then when itwas switched on 8 weeks later I took domestic leave again. I don't feel with my new boss this would bepossible." She wanted paid emergency family leave at a set amount a yeareg 10 days. 83

A claims negotiator from Mid Glamorgan said that "thisnew right [TOD leave] would help. Atpresent if children are ill, we have to take annual leave. Unless the child is hospitalised, domesticleave is granted." 85

A Manchester mother said that "Emergency family leaveis great It would help a lot but lackof pay would be hard. My son wasadmitted to hospital earlier this year and I had a negative response when Icalled my manger. My son was very illand I ended up so upset at the end of the phone call. I was granted special leave but now worry if anything like thishappened again... I have taken leaveand sick leave for myself as I could not leave my ill child. I was told to take sick leave for one weekwhen my carer was ill but I would welcome the new right to be flexible insteadof being told "you're a working mum and these things happen!"88

A sewing machinist from Sunderland said that "if youhave a sick child that child only wants its mother and the mother prefers to bewith the child. But in my currentemployment you are penalised for this.I think there should be some way this is prevented." [This would bean unlawful detriment].101

Her colleague, a presser said that "if all the [GreenPaper proposals] were available it would mean a great deal to all mothers,especially the emergency family leave.I think it would help all mothers out.Also, now if your child is not well and the mother stays off work, thenext day you come back to work you would get a warning or a trigger point onyour file." [This would be an unlawful detriment].104

A home care worker in Sheffield said that "on twooccasions I have had to take emergency day off. Company fine about it.But obviously you have to decide on how serious an emergency is."119

An information systems manager in York said that "thisnew right is great, just to know you have the option. I currently make sure I have spare holiday for illness/emergencies."129

A care worker in Wigan felt that her employer had not beensympathetic to her need for extra flexibility.She "needed short notice to be off. No cover was allocated even though people were prepared to workfor me." 134

A finisher for a Hartlepool menswear manufacturer and motherof two secondary school children had received two warnings for her absence tocare for ill children during the year 2000.She is a widow and has no family living in England. 135

A confectionary process worker in York working part timesaid that "I would use this time for childminder illness because at themoment I have to use my holiday to cover her illness or holidays. It's very difficult to get a day off work inthe room I work in, child illness or not.I asked for an emergency day off due to child being ill all nightlong. He [line manager] couldn't sayyes or no without checking the holiday rota.All I would like is to be able to have unpaid time off work no questionsasked when it is required eg childminder ill or needs holidays. At the moment this proves to be very hardand stressful." 148

A worker from Shipley said "When my son is ill I haveto take annual leave to stay at home with him.As you can appreciate this often doesn't leave me with a lot of annualleave for holidays etc A lot of peoplelike myself cannot afford to take unpaid leave. I have to use annual leave when my son is ill. Luckily for me I have flexitime at work so Iam able to "flexi off" when [her son] has to go to child clinic orfor other reasons, but people who don't have flexitime would no doubt find thisimpossible." 155

A single parent staff nurse in Stamford said that "I am put down as absent disgusting and I have money taken off my wages when I have to stay and careat home if she's ill. So now I have tolie so I don't lose out on money. Onenurse is empathetic, the others resent me for asking for favours like weekendsoff. I was definitely happier when Iwas unemployed." 159

A mother of two working full time said that "I eithertake annual leave at short notice or if not possible, leave children with myhusband then spend the whole day worrying." Her employer "usually allows annual leave/flexi at short noticeif needed... I recently had to use twodays annual leave to care for my youngest child when my husband was takenill. They tend to need/want me ratherthan their Dad I think this can be said for most children." 162

A housing officer in Bradford said that when her child wasin hospital unexpectedly, she "had run out of leave [and] had to havespecial permission to use next year's to offset debit. Permission [given] by management to take itas "special circumstances" My own line manager is very sympatheticas she has her own children. Her linemanager who has no children himself is notsympathetic [Of TOD leave] I could not afford to lost money [it is] verydifficult if children are ill. Myselfand my husband have to take time off which means we are using all our annualleave up." 163

A part time receptionist in packaging in Chesterfield saidof TOD leave "I don't really know much about this, but I would like toknow more. When my child is ill,luckily it has been on my days off, but I would have to use my holidays if itwas a working day [There should be] better understanding if you need emergencytime off and not made to feel guilty if you can't get into work if your childis ill etc." 173

A process worker in a confectionary plant in York said"I think there should be a flexible parental leave for people withemergency situations because some people have very sick children and have totake all holidays to cover this. Butwhen do they get to have a rest when all their holidays are taken? [During emergencies I] have to takeemergency holiday off but this becomes a pain because the holiday entitlementmight already be full... my son has convulsions and on one occasion I phone upto get emergency holiday and was told it was full and I had to phone back tosay I was having the day off regardless.There should be a flexible system where if your childminder lets youdown or a situation arises then you should be given so many hours to be able tosort the problem out or be able to take parental leave for a day, week etcdepending. If anything like this ispassed then your employer/team leader should be made aware of this so theparent wouldn't receive any stress form this through lack of info."182

Flexibility: summary

Thissection covers responses by women. Forresponses by men see the last section.

Manywomen had returned from maternity leave to reduced hours, usually between 17and 25 hours a week. Sometimes this wasa permanent move. In other cases it wasa short term period of part time working before returning full time.

Othershad not been able to do this, either for financial reasons or because theiremployer did not allow it. A number mentioned that they were having to worklonger (unpaid) hours than they had been contracted to do. Some who had not been able to reduce theirhours were forced to leave their jobs, or resolved to leave them when requestsfor flexible working were turned down.

Similarlythere were varying experiences of requests for additional flexibility manyhad been able to change hours or shifts, or use flexitime. Others had not. Flexitime was popular as, unlike TOD leave, it enabledrespondents to make up their hours and pay after emergency leave. Many respondents wanted to work hours linkedto school hours, but few had been able to do this.

Thosewho had returned on part time hours were happier with the length of theirmaternity leave. Many respondents mentioned the fact that working part timegave them more quality time with children.

Anumber of respondents wanted to work more flexible hours during theirpregnancy, which can be possible under existing health and safety legislation.

Flexibility: comments

An office clerk from Hull working 37.5 hours and mother of aboy under two said that she would have liked different hours on return frommaternity leave. She said that sheworked shifts "which are trying and the time during the week is busy withjobs which doesnt allow much quality time.Also when he goes to school we will not see him much [when we work] thelate shift. 1

A local authority trainee manager returned to work onreduced hours at her request. Some timelater she went back to working a 37 hour week, however she still feels that"the pressure of working full time and being a housewife leaves littletime for enjoying quality time with the [10 year-old] child." She would like to have her" full timehours re-arranged to suit school hours".3

An assistant manager of a hostel in the Manchester area hadhalved her shift so than she could come in when her husband was back from work.9

A Business Development Manager in the West Midlands worked23 hours as "an acceptable compromise" between her need for moneyand her desire to spend more time with her son. She felt quite happy with her situation, but noted that "Alot of the things that are available after having a child ie career breaks,part time working are at the discretion of the employer. I think that if a person can afford to do sothey should have the right to spend quality time with their children, timewhich, after all can never be regained.I also think that part time working should be available for as long as aperson wants it and there should be no pressure placed on staff to return towork full time." 11

One respondent returned on reduced hours from 37 to 24 hours"as I requested [with] everything pro rata, but H.R. would not tell mewhether I could come back part time, only that I could "apply"."12 Her employer was also flexible abouttaking leave or the odd hour off at short notice and did not expect overtime.12

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