Driver Training Days off???

[Emilymay86]

Hi, Simple question;

I have read that you can't take any annual leave during the first 6 months of driver training....but are you allowed to take any sick days??

It is just that I am pregnant with baby due during the time my hubby would be training. I know he couldn't get paternity leave during that time but would he be allowed 1-2 sick days for the birth?? Or would he lose his position?

Thanks

 

[W230]

It is just that I am pregnant with baby due during the time my hubby would be training. I know he couldn't get paternity leave during that time but would he be allowed 1-2 sick days for the birth?? Or would he lose his position?

I think you're a bit mixed up here. He would be allowed paternity. It is a legal requirement. However, the TOC may impress upon him the importance of not missing his training but that does not mean he can't take paternity.

As to sick pay, at the TOC i'm at we were told that we would not receive any sick pay for any time off for the first six months in the job (that's because i'm new to the company and we have a six month probation). Again, i'm not actually sure on the legal side of this, though it was in my contract when I signed it (I think!)

If it was me, I would approach my trainer early on and explain the circumstances and ask if I be able to take a couple of days off when the baby was born. I would think most trainers would be understanding and would give him the work to catch up (I know mine would be anyway). That's going to look a hundred times better than calling in sick when everyone on his course (and his trainer) knows he's expecting a child!!

 

[TDK]

Hi, Simple question;

I have read that you can't take any annual leave during the first 6 months of driver training....but are you allowed to take any sick days??

It is just that I am pregnant with baby due during the time my hubby would be training. I know he couldn't get paternity leave during that time but would he be allowed 1-2 sick days for the birth?? Or would he lose his position?

Thanks

You will not normally get any sick leave and to be honest he won't be sick. The railway does not give an allocation to sick leave, if you are too ill to work you are off sick if you are fit you work. No sick pay for the first 6 months usually. He can approach his manager and explain the situation. It all depends on what training he is actually on during this time. If I was in his position I would inform his line manager and request compassionate leave for when the time comes, I am sure they will help out. If he does take sick leave and they find out he is not ill you must remember he is on probation and to be fair his position as a trainee train driver is a very sought after post.

 

[455driver]

Has he notified the TOC of his requirement for time off during the training?

Probably not I would think!

 

[Vicpaul]

Is it a legal requirement?

I didn't get any paternity with southern when I was training late last year. And I looked into this extensively.

They were nice enough to grace me with a day.

 

[lvaxb24]

From experience I would say definitely no leave during his classroom/rules training as they can't in effect 'pause' the course for everyone else whilst he is away so he would fall to far behind with no way to catch up so I imagine that will rule out approximately the 1st 4 months. But there will likely be 1 weeks leave which everyone will be taking at the same time built into the rules training but this will be scheduled in advance. After that when he is on his hours they can and have been flexible with paternity leave so it depends when the baby is due in relation to his start time.

I do think starting the job with the intention of pulling a sickie isn't the way forward. Open and honest with full disclosure as early as possible is the way to go if he hasn't told them already.

 

[W230]

Is it a legal requirement?

I didn't get any paternity with southern when I was training late last year. And I looked into this extensively.

Hmmm. I'd assumed so but maybe not then? Either way, pulling a sickie is definitely not the way forward.

I guess the only way to look at it is he may well have to work. If he does then, i'm guessing he wouldn't be too far away in an emergency? Like TDK says I would really not advise calling in sick!

 

[Vicpaul]

Hmmm. I'd assumed so but maybe not then? Either way, pulling a sickie is definitely not the way forward.

I guess the only way to look at it is he may well have to work. If he does then, i'm guessing he wouldn't be too far away in an emergency? Like TDK says I would really not advise calling in sick!

My driver line manager and the training school knew the situation and had she gone into labour while I was at the school it was agreed I could leave. They did not have to give me the day after but I guess given my background they felt I could easily catch up.

It's a difficult time for both of you, I know first hand but this is an opportunity for your future as a family and as parents so my advice to your partner and/or anyone heading for this job role is to turn up every day on time if not before, as attitude pays a big part in what companies look for.

 

[dk1]

Railway employment is not that draconian. Of course he will be given time off. He only has to comment that his mind is not on the job & no driver manager would let him within a mile of a train cab.

Definatley not advisable to go sick especially as its hard to hide the fact his wife is giving birth. Just be honest & things will be no problem whatsoever.

 

[455driver]

He will (probably) be in the middle of doing the rules not out with a DI!

Hence the "no time off".

 

[Vicpaul]

Railway employment is not that draconian. Of course he will be given time off. He only has to comment that his mind is not on the job & no driver manager would let him within a mile of a train cab.

Definatley not advisable to go sick especially as its hard to hide the fact his wife is giving birth. Just be honest & things will be no problem whatsoever.

The post states training

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Firstly congratulations on the new career and the new arrival. 2013 is going to be a big year.

The multitude of different answers here show that a definitive one cannot be given without more information. Training takes place both in a group (rules, traction) and individually (handling, route knowledge) and just going on experience of being in the job for a while, it will be far easier to get a couple of days off if he is working individually because other people on the course will not be slowed down by his absence.

Definitely a subject to be spoken about with the TOC though. Whether the baby comes on it's due date or not is something of an inexact science too so I guess you might not be able to get an exact answer until the last minute. Either way, when you think about it as a long term thing, having a train drivers wage and job security coming into the house is definitely a good thing, even if it comes at the expense of a few missed hours during that first couple of days of the baby's life.

 

[Emilymay86]

WOW Thanks everyone!

I didn't mean at ALL, that he would pull a sickie....i just used the term sick leave but didn't mean that. I just meant did you think they would allow a day or 2.

It sounds like the way forward is to tell them at the very beginning of training the due date and hope they are able to let him go if I call. I wouldn't even expect pay.

And Obviously, if it was a question of loosing the Job, then we would have to sacrifice him being with me in order to keep this great sought after job.

Thanks for your replies. You have given me more confidence that they will probably do what they can for us...we'll just hope and pray labour starts on a Friday evening with the weekend ahead

Also, Paternity is only given if you have worked somewhere for long enough, same as Maternity pay, which he wont have done
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

WOW Thanks everyone!

I didn't mean at ALL, that he would pull a sickie....i just used the term sick leave but didn't mean that. I just meant did you think they would allow a day or 2.

It sounds like the way forward is to tell them at the very beginning of training the due date and hope they are able to let him go if I call. I wouldn't even expect pay.

And Obviously, if it was a question of loosing the Job, then we would have to sacrifice him being with me in order to keep this great sought after job.

Thanks for your replies. You have given me more confidence that they will probably do what they can for us...we'll just hope and pray labour starts on a Friday evening with the weekend ahead

Also, Paternity is only given if you have worked somewhere for long enough, same as Maternity pay, which he wont have done

Also he hasn't got the job yet! Has Driver Manager Interview still to go but we are being optimistic! x

 

[Silv1983]

Depends on the TOC I would say. Northern (or at least the training academy management) were very flexible and understanding - and several people were given a couple of days off here and there for various reasons. I was permitted 2 days off to attend a crown court trial in which I was a witness. Others had a single day off for their medicals, and another had 2 or 3 days off due to a very poorly family member being admitted to hospital.

Anything more than a few days however and there a risk of being back-classed.

 

[TDK]

Also he hasn't got the job yet! Has Driver Manager Interview still to go but we are being optimistic! x

You never know, the recruitment process can take a while even after the interview and you may be worrying over nothing as the baby may come before he starts, good luck all the same.

 

[LCC106]

Here is a link to eligibility to paternity leave, just for info. https://www.gov.uk/paternityleave/eligibility

Yes, a swift labour starting at 17:30 on a Friday would be good. Curry o'clock, methinks!

Wishing you all the best.

 

[richw]

In reference to the above stating that paternity is a legal requirement, It is only a legal requirement if you have worked for the employer for a minimum qualifying period. I believe it is 6 months. My employer however gave me 2 weeks holiday with full pay, with the agreement the 2 weeks would start as soon as mrs gave birth.

 

[Beveridges]

Driver Interview is still quite a long way off getting the job, so I wouldn't even bother worrying about it yet

If he gets past that then thats when you can start worrying about it as the odds of getting the job by then would become more reasonable

As for missing weeks off the course. Northern run several courses each year at both Bolton and Leeds. If he misses a week or two, they might just send him from Leeds to Bolton to catch up on those weeks when that course reaches the point that he missed.

 

[TheVicLine]

In reference to the above stating that paternity is a legal requirement, It is only a legal requirement if you have worked for the employer for a minimum qualifying period. I believe it is 6 months. My employer however gave me 2 weeks holiday with full pay, with the agreement the 2 weeks would start as soon as mrs gave birth.

This is correct. Legally the allowance is 2 weeks paternity leave HOWEVER the person must have worked for the company for at least 26 weeks (6 months).
I would speak to the line manager or trainer and explain the situation, it would be pretty mean of the TOC not to allow a couple of days even if it was unpaid.

 

[E&W Lucas]

One word springs immediately to mind - COMMUNICATE!!!!!

It is something drivers are expected to do. Talk to the management, explain the situation, and go from there. No one's job offer is going to be withdrawn because their partner is going to have a baby. However, what does annoy management, is when people b******t them. Behave like a professional, provide the information, and maybe say sorry for not mentioning it sooner.

 

[LCC106]

Personally I think this is one to mention at the Driver Manager Interview. If the manager asks if there's anything the company needs to know or if your husband has any questions, this is the time to raise it. I don't believe there's anything unprofessional about his behaviour so far in the slightest.

 

[Emilymay86]

Personally I think this is one to mention at the Driver Manager Interview. If the manager asks if there's anything the company needs to know or if your husband has any questions, this is the time to raise it. I don't believe there's anything unprofessional about his behaviour so far in the slightest.

True, could raise it then, but we would hate for it to have a negative effect on his interview....as if he couldn't take any time off then we would accept that...the job has to come first for our families future

 

[455driver]

And if he starts training, gets halfway through the rules segment and takes a few days off (which he knew he would be taking off well in advance) they may well reconsider his job prospects, people have been thrown off the drivers courses for a lot less, honesty is very important and if he cant be upfront and honest about this can he be trusted to be honest and upfront about anything!

If he tells them at the managers interview then, as long as he is successful, they might well defer his start date until after the baby is born, the chances of them not proceeding at all is very slim.
Is it worth the risk of losing the job?

 

[Emilymay86]

And if he starts training, gets halfway through the rules segment and takes a few days off (which he knew he would be taking off well in advance) they may well reconsider his job prospects, people have been thrown off the drivers courses for a lot less, honesty is very important and if he cant be upfront and honest about this can he be trusted to be honest and upfront about anything!

If he tells them at the managers interview then, as long as he is successful, they might well defer his start date until after the baby is born, the chances of them not proceeding at all is very slim.
Is it worth the risk of losing the job?

WOW! Incredibly presumptuous and rude to make a judgement on someone you don't know! As I said, He will be upfront, he will ask if he gets the job IF the option is there for him to take a day for the birth, but if it is not possibly then he simply wont take it! I was simply asking in case anyone had experience but my husband is an honest, upfront, professional and committed person who always does the right thing....nothing will be hidden or done sneakily, he will be upfront and honest as always!

 

[455driver]

Not presumptuous, just making you aware of the worst case scenario, fore-warned is fore-armed etc!

If he is successful the company will not let a little thing (sic) like a baby being born affect his employment prospects, but not telling them about it and then taking time off (during the rules part) could have an affect, any other time during the training is fine it is just the rules segment that is an issue.

The speed rail recruitment works you will probably be celebrating the baby's 1st birthday when he starts anyway!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

True, could raise it then, but we would hate for it to have a negative effect on his interview....as if he couldn't take any time off then we would accept that...the job has to come first for our families future

If he makes it clear that he would abide by the answer they give then I don't think it will effect their decision. As others have said, it is better that they know ahead of time.

 

[Emilymay86]

Not presumptuous, just making you aware of the worst case scenario, fore-warned is fore-armed etc!

If he is successful the company will not let a little thing (sic) like a baby being born affect his employment prospects, but not telling them about it and then taking time off (during the rules part) could have an affect, any other time during the training is fine it is just the rules segment that is an issue.

The speed rail recruitment works you will probably be celebrating the baby's 1st birthday when he starts anyway!

Very True!