Time off during training

[Jonb106]

Hi all,

This is quite specific so not sure if anyone can help?

Been offered a start date as a trainee in July and have been told no time off within first four months (which is absolutely fine). My partner is due to give birth in September. I made it clear in the interview I knew I couldn't take paternity leave (which were both ok with) but do you think they'd be likely to let me leave half way through a lesson should she go into labour?! I know it's a random question, but after two years of trying, since assessment to interview to start date it's taken just four months so it's come as a surprise (although I am over the moon to be given this golden opportunity!!) There's no question of me taking the job (pending medical) but wondered if anyone else had been is the same position?

Sorry for the essay, And thanks for your help in advance!!

Jon

 

[rhysa85]

Hi all,

This is quite specific so not sure if anyone can help?

Been offered a start date as a trainee in July and have been told no time off within first four months (which is absolutely fine). My partner is due to give birth in September. I made it clear in the interview I knew I couldn't take paternity leave (which were both ok with) but do you think they'd be likely to let me leave half way through a lesson should she go into labour?! I know it's a random question, but after two years of trying, since assessment to interview to start date it's taken just four months so it's come as a surprise (although I am over the moon to be given this golden opportunity!!) There's no question of me taking the job (pending medical) but wondered if anyone else had been is the same position?

Sorry for the essay, And thanks for your help in advance!!

Jon

Firstly, congratulations on both the job offer and the pending birth of your child. Secondly, I think it would take an immensely cold hearted trainer/s to not allow you to leave a lesson to be at the birth of your child. One of the guys on my course unfortunately missed a couple of days due to the passing of his mother and he was able to get back up to speed and pass.

Best of luck

 

[Aivilo]

Congratulations on both fronts. I was in the very same position a few years back. They'll give you a day or two but that's about it.

 

[Jonb106]

Firstly, congratulations on both the job offer and the pending birth of your child. Secondly, I think it would take an immensely cold hearted trainer/s to not allow you to leave a lesson to be at the birth of your child. One of the guys on my course unfortunately missed a couple of days due to the passing of his mother and he was able to get back up to speed and pass.

Best of luck

Hi rhysa85

Thanks very much for your kind words mate, much appreciated

Reassuring to know if I had a day off I'd be able to catch up! Thanks for your reply mate it's has helped to out my mind at rest!

 

[Jonb106]

Congratulations on both fronts. I was in the very same position a few years back. They'll give you a day or two but that's about it.

Hi Aivilo

Thanks for your kind words as well mate, much appreciated!

Good to know that someone else has been in the same position! I know it's not ideal circumstances but reassuring to know that I might at least be able to get there for the birth!

Thanks for your reply mate it's been a great help!

 

[ComUtoR]

The rule at my TOC is 2 days off maximum. Any more than that and you are pulled from the course.

 

[LETHLFH]

Hi,

At the end of my training course and by no time off I believe they mean holidays, I took 1 day off to take care of my wife and child as they took ill, 2 other members of the group have needed days for bereavment. None of this was a problem, only advice is to ask somebody for a photocopy of missed notes as missing one session on something important like signalling or de-graded workings may be difficult to catch up on without help.

 

[donpoku]

Congrats on both good news. It should be no problem just let the trainer know well before in advance and promise to catch up. Again congrats, all the best.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

[Yellowcupra]

Congratulations on both accounts. I had this too. I was offered a start date pretty much on my sons due date. I explained to HR and they were really good about it. Offered me a start date one month later. So my boy was born April 13 and I start May 10.

 

[Bromley boy]

Hi,

At the end of my training course and by no time off I believe they mean holidays, I took 1 day off to take care of my wife and child as they took ill, 2 other members of the group have needed days for bereavment. None of this was a problem, only advice is to ask somebody for a photocopy of missed notes as missing one session on something important like signalling or de-graded workings may be difficult to catch up on without help.

At my place they are very, very strict.

If you take more than two days off during rules you will be removed from the course. Irrespective of the reason. You are not allowed to book holidays, full stop. The two days limit relates to unavoidable sickness/days off for emergencies at home etc.

It is harsh but they make this requirement clear from the outset and stick to it.

Things get a good deal more flexible when you finish the rules/traction classroom stage and start following a DI's shift patterns. At this stage you can book leave and often make informal arrangements with your DI to work half a shift, if you need to get home early for some reason.

The rules course ran roughly from 0900-1500, sometimes finishing even earlier, so this helped in some respects.

OP, congrats on the forthcoming arrival and the start date! Best of luck with it.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Congratulations on your impending arrival, and also on securing a new job that will allow you to provide well for them, and also to see a great deal of them as they grow up.
Personally, I would advise contacting the TOC, and seeing if there is a later start date available. Heaven forbid, if any complications develop, you need to be with your family, which as others have mentioned, will likely lead to your being removed from the course anyway. Don't underestimate the commitment that both the training, and your child will require. Especially if it is your first. Focus on your child, then start the training with a clear head.
Good luck!

 

[Yellowcupra]

Congratulations on your impending arrival, and also on securing a new job that will allow you to provide well for them, and also to see a great deal of them as they grow up.
Personally, I would advise contacting the TOC, and seeing if there is a later start date available. Heaven forbid, if any complications develop, you need to be with your family, which as others have mentioned, will likely lead to your being removed from the course anyway. Don't underestimate the commitment that both the training, and your child will require. Especially if it is your first. Focus on your child, then start the training with a clear head.
Good luck!

Brilliant advice!

 

[Jonb106]

Thanks everyone for all your advice and your kind wishes! It's has been really helpful! I spoke to HR today and they advised that taking a day off to allow for the birth would be absolutely fine but any more than that then I'll be removed. Unfortunately, although I did ask, they were unable to provide me with a date in the future as this is the only start date they have for a while.

Bromleyboy, I have a feeling it may be for your TOC that I am joining mate.

Again, thanks for taking the time to reply everyone.

 

[Bromley boy]

Thanks everyone for all your advice and your kind wishes! It's has been really helpful! I spoke to HR today and they advised that taking a day off to allow for the birth would be absolutely fine but any more than that then I'll be removed. Unfortunately, although I did ask, they were unable to provide me with a date in the future as this is the only start date they have for a while.

Bromleyboy, I have a feeling it may be for your TOC that I am joining mate.

Again, thanks for taking the time to reply everyone.

Fair enough mate.

Sensible of you to check with them as sometimes they have several courses planned and could stick you onto another one.

I'd also echo E&W Lucas above. Make sure you are able to commit to the course for the time you are there and a bit of study outside the classroom, as you need to meet the high pass marks. It's well worth getting your other half on side with it and letting her know about the lack of flexibility (and to avoid arguments at home !).

Appreciate it's hard with a new baby to take care of but it'll get a lot easier when you're with a DI
and you'll be able to start to take advantage of the flexibility the job can offer.

Feel free to PM if you want to ask anything specific.

 

[Jonb106]

Fair enough mate.

Sensible of you to check with them as sometimes they have several courses planned and could stick you onto another one.

I'd also echo E&W Lucas above. Make sure you are able to commit to the course for the time you are there and a bit of study outside the classroom, as you need to meet the high pass marks. It's well worth getting your other half on side with it and letting her know about the lack of flexibility (and to avoid arguments at home !).

Appreciate it's hard with a new baby to take care of but it'll get a lot easier when you're with a DI
and you'll be able to start to take advantage of the flexibility the job can offer.

Feel free to PM if you want to ask anything specific.

Hi mate,

All signed off at home lol, having waited for this opportunity for so long it's something we both believe I can't pass up!

I'll drop you a line over the next couple of days if that's ok?

Thanks again for your help

 

[Tomnick]

You might (but equally you might not, if it's absolutely set in stone!) find that they're prepared to be a little more flexible if you demonstrate that you're willing to really put the work in, have a generally good attitude towards everything and show that you're getting a really good understanding of the content, as they'll be less concerned about you falling behind.

 

[RBSN]

Congratulations OP


My daughter was born September last year, pretty much half way through academy. I left half way into a class, brake regulations I believe, and it was completely fine. It was no issue because I had told my DTM in advance about my wife being pregnant.

I had a full day off and came back and carried on.

 

[Jonb106]

Thanks very much RBSN an Tomnick, for your replies! Medical coming up so hoping that goes well so I'll know for sure that I'm in. My (potential) TOC are aware of the situation and have been incredibly helpful, as has everyone on here!

Thanks again