Parental Leave

nigmatron

My ex and I live 150 km apart. I take my kid when possible, I work some weekend have plans others but we have a good relationship and we meet when we can. He has now turned 8 years old and I am not entitled to parental leave which used to be handy if I needed to make plans those extra days made all the difference. Is there any was it can be extended based on the distance I live from the child?

Stheno

Parental leave is only something you are entitled to until a child is eight, I suspect you won't have any luck with extending it.

nigmatron

My kid cannot look after himself at age 8 so I don't understand why it's not available until they are at least 16. It's unpaid leave.

cee_jay

All the information on Parental Leave (including the relevant acts) is available here: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/parental_leave.html
The qualifying age is laid down in the relevant acts, and there are limited circumstances whereby the age limit is increased (e.g. in the case of a child with a disability or a long-term illness leave may be taken up to 16 years of age).

antix80

Why don't you ask your employer for unpaid leave?

davo10

nigmatron wrote: »

My kid cannot look after himself at age 8 so I don't understand why it's not available until they are at least 16. It's unpaid leave.

That would effectively involve the government paying for childminding services up to age 16, ain't gonna happen, there are more important services which are currently under resourced which need the money. You could look for a job closer to your child.

Mrs OBumble

You already get 20 days a year of annual leave. Use those to care for your kid, the same way any other worker does!

nigmatron

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You already get 20 days a year of annual leave. Use those to care for your kid, the same way any other worker does!

To me 20 days is feck all in the grand scheme of things. It's MORE days I want. Even if it's at my expense.

Walter2016

Unless you are doing extra days, you are working 260 days a year.

That leaves 105 days for you to decide what to do with and how to manage them.

Or do you think that its your employer that has to make changes to work around your lifestyle?

nigmatron

Walter2016 wrote: »

Unless you are doing extra days, you are working 260 days a year.

That leaves 105 days for you to decide what to do with and how to manage them.

Or do you think that its your employer that has to make changes to work around your lifestyle?

Ok it's a Genuine request for information. I get what you are saying it's a 5 hour round trip to see my child I work weekends frequently enough so when I get a day off during the week I do try to visit but it's not always feasible. Anyways I feel people are being smart here. So much for any helpful suggestions.

Stheno

nigmatron wrote: »

Ok it's a Genuine request for information. I get what you are saying it's a 5 hour round trip to see my child I work weekends frequently enough so when I get a day off during the week I do try to visit but it's not always feasible. Anyways I feel people are being smart here. So much for any helpful suggestions.

There's nothing to suggest other than you take unpaid leave if your employer will facilitate it. You are not legally entitled to anything.

secman

In fairness to the OP he is trying to be part of his child's life. And in fairness to an employer, they can't have their staff going off at short notice when it suits them.
.Unfortunately no easy answer here, first port of call would be to discuss the matter with your employer to see what scope there is there and try to have these days tied in with mid term breaks if possible.

Good luck with your endeavour to resolve this.

lawred2

davo10 wrote: »

That would effectively involve the government paying for childminding services up to age 16, ain't gonna happen, there are more important services which are currently under resourced which need the money. You could look for a job closer to your child.

How?

It costs the state nothing.

Mrs OBumble

nigmatron wrote: »

Ok it's a Genuine request for information. I get what you are saying it's a 5 hour round trip to see my child I work weekends frequently enough so when I get a day off during the week I do try to visit but it's not always feasible. Anyways I feel people are being smart here. So much for any helpful suggestions.

Genuine suggestion: get a job in a more convenient location and move there.

I'ts not the government's responsibility or your employers to facilitate you to live a 5-hour round trip away.

nigmatron

secman wrote: »

In fairness to the OP he is trying to be part of his child's life. And in fairness to an employer, they can't have their staff going off at short notice when it suits them.
.Unfortunately no easy answer here, first port of call would be to discuss the matter with your employer to see what scope there is there and try to have these days tied in with mid term breaks if possible.

Good luck with your endeavour to resolve this.

Thank you! Wish me luck!

lawred2

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Genuine suggestion: get a job in a more convenient location and move there.

I'ts not the government's responsibility or your employers to facilitate you to live a 5-hour round trip away.

Why are your posts so caustic towards this lad who is trying to spend more time with his son?

nigmatron

lawred2 wrote: »

Why are your posts so caustic towards this lad who is trying to spend more time with his son?

Thank you! It's totally uncalled for. I have a life and job and my family in my hometown. It's not as simple as up and leave. I make any chance I can to see my son. But mid week is not always feasible as he has school. I think the bottom line there should be some provision for single fathers who live a considerable distance from me. Bearing in mind my ex was from my hometown and now has moved away and Happily in her new relationship. I think it's not fair that they can move where they want yet no help for fathers who love a certain distance for reasons beyond their control. Anyways thanks for all the replies seems the only option I have is to check it out with work.

Glass fused light

nigmatron wrote: »

Thank you! It's totally uncalled for. I have a life and job and my family in my hometown. It's not as simple as up and leave. I make any chance I can to see my son. But mid week is not always feasible as he has school. I think the bottom line there should be some provision for single fathers who live a considerable distance from me. Bearing in mind my ex was from my hometown and now has moved away and Happily in her new relationship. I think it's not fair that they can move where they want yet no help for fathers who love a certain distance for reasons beyond their control. Anyways thanks for all the replies seems the only option I have is to check it out with work.

The other option is that you explore taking on the responsibility of being the main caregiver in your child's life. Your son moves in with you and visits his mother on weekends etc.

Mrs OBumble

lawred2 wrote: »

Why are your posts so caustic towards this lad who is trying to spend more time with his son? sees the child who he was equally responsible for creating on the weekends when he can (note: not every weekend because sometimes he "has plans")

fyp.




As usual, the mother is carrying the parenting-can, daddy drops in on the weekend when it suits him - and is now expecting his employer to give him extra leave to support this behaviour.

Can you really not see why a feminist woman would have an issue with this?

lawred2

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

fyp.




As usual, the mother is carrying the parenting-can, daddy drops in on the weekend when it suits him - and is now expecting his employer to give him extra leave to support this behaviour.

Can you really not see why a feminist woman would have an issue with this?

oh ffs

He could be a deadbeat with zero interest in his son. Get off your self erected high horse will you.

Really not sure what feminism has to do with anything here.

Stheno

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

fyp.




As usual, the mother is carrying the parenting-can, daddy drops in on the weekend when it suits him - and is now expecting his employer to give him extra leave to support this behaviour.

Can you really not see why a feminist woman would have an issue with this?

Please read the charter and post in a less uncivil manner.

Closing the thread as ops question has been answered.