Essex mum calls for job protection for parents of sick children

Christina had to take extended leave from work when her daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia at age 10

A petition calling for employers to offer career breaks for parents of seriously ill children has collected more than 80,000 signatures.

Christina, 45, from Rayleigh, Essex, left her job after taking extended leave to care for her daughter Skye, who was diagnosed with cancer.

She said she had to rely on donations until state support was available.

In response to her UK Parliament online petition, the government said career break legislation was not planned.

Christina wants a legal requirement for employers to grant special breaks for parents that will allow them to return to their job.

She said when she had to leave her job she "broke down crying".

'Traumatic'

Skye was 10 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer and has undergone treatment for the past 22 months. Skye has six months left of daily chemotherapy.

Christina said: "Obviously at that time Skye was seriously ill and I was looking after her 24-7.

"I'm already in an extremely stressful, traumatic situation. No-one should have to deal with choosing sitting by your child's bedside in hospital or losing your job.

"Obviously businesses still need to operate, I don't expect anyone to pay a parent for 2.5 years because that's not possible but just keep the job open, unpaid, until the parent can return."

Her employer offered a different role so that she could work from home but Christina said this was at a fraction of her salary. She did this for a short period before leaving the company.

The employer declined to comment.

Christina wants legal protection to allow parents of sick children to take career breaks and then be able to return to their jobs

In its response to the petition, the government wrote there were "no plans to introduce a right to a career break in these circumstances".

However, a Department for Business and Trade spokesman said there was other legislation in place.

The Neonatal Care (leave and pay) Act 2023 for parents of babies in hospital, the Employment Relations Act which supports requests for flexible working and the Carer's Leave Act could all offer some provision for the carers of sick children, the government said.

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The spokesman added: "We understand the difficulties, worry and challenges faced by parents with seriously ill children.

"Our new legislation will make life easier for parents caring for sick children and we encourage employers to go even further to provide a supportive and flexible working environment."