Public sector strike action

Strike action is set to disrupt thousands of schools this week, leaving parents and their employers in a difficult position.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) are set to strike on Thursday due to pension reforms.

The strikes will cause many schools to close for the day meaning that parents will need to care for their children.

Employment legislation allows for unpaid time off to care for children, in order to deal with unforeseen events such as this.

Employees will be expected to attempt to make alternative childcare arrangements and may consider allowing parents to take time off as holiday, or look at some kind of other working arrangement such as working from home for the day. Employers should be careful that they deal properly with any requests for time off and must not subject any parents to a detriment for requesting this.

Amy Crabtree
Forbes Solicitors