I am working in a country where childcare leave is mandated by the government. Last I checked, we are still in a pandemic and my daughter came home from preschool with a runny nose, sneezing and a slight fever. At about 6pm I check in with my boss through WhatsApp if I can take leave to care for her the next day, if her condition worsened.
My exchange with my boss went like this:
Boss: Can't your wife take care of her?
Me: She's a teacher, and it's school term, so it's hard to take leave on her side.
Boss: You have help right?
Me: My helper has her hands full with my other child, an infant son
Boss: No other help? You know, I've given you too much last minute time off recently
Me: [Shocked that my previous childcare leave requests have been considered “last minute time off” when they were all because they were SICK THAT MORNING]
After I compose myself a bit I respond
Me: I can't control when my daughter will fall sick, but I do try to keep her away from contracting viruses where possible. Since it's not possible to apply for leave I'll just find some alternative
4 hours later, perhaps realising she's gone too far, the boss responds
Boss: Hey how's your daughter. If you need to take your leave go ahead but let me know
[Wtf? After getting judged for taking too much “last minute time off”?????]
The next morning, my daughter wakes up still with slightly high temperature, but with the runny nose under control. I reluctantly let her go to school anyway. I wouldn't have, if my boss hadn't been so judgmental about my leave request in the first place.