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Can employers sack you for looking after Mum with cancer

Bernadette1234
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my mother got recently diagnosed with liver cancer a month ago and I have been having to take a lot of days off of work to look after her as she has been going to the hospital a lot for chemo 

i got a phone call today that my mum has collapsed and has stop breathing and I had to leave work immediately to deal with the situation, this isn’t the first time it’s happened where I had to leave work due to emergencies 

i’m very Worried that my employer is going to dismiss me due to the amount of absences I’ve had to take, can anyone please tell me if they can sack me for taking too many days off?

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    Hi Bernadette,

    You might want to contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or your Union rep (if you have one) as the answer is very complicated. For example, you're entitled to time off to deal with emergencies but you may not be entitled to time off for routine appointments.

    The government has some basic advice on the following website www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants

    As both a former boss and a former union rep, my advice would be to keep your employers fully informed about your situation. That way they won't have the excuse that they didn't know you had a legitimate reason to take time off. Besides, it is only good manners and they will be able to try to arrange cover for when you're not available.

    Good luck

    Dave

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    Hi there ... it must be so worrying for you, right now ... I just wondered if you could write a letter to your boss, from your heart on what’s happening and how you feel torn and how worried you are about job .. he may understand more then talking to him coz we can express more in a letter ... a lot depends on what sort of person he is, and he may have had personal experience of someone who’s had cancer... 

    hope it all works out for you .. your one amazing daughter ... sending you a big vertual hug... Chrisie xx ️

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