Leaving work, possibly without notice

Family first, MissA, it will be fine. Your boss will understand. Ring quick and once it's done you will feel better. The best of luck to you.

MissA you are in an impossible situation trying to do the best you can and keeping your own emotions in check, my manager was very understanding, hopefully your employers would be able to put themselves in your situation and know you would not do this unless absolutely necessary...please PM me if I can be of any support to you

I feel sick at the thought, downtoearth all I can do is try to be as helpful as possible, if its possible. My stomach is in knots though!

MissA have been in a very similar situation I had to ring and explain regarding situation and leave immediately, holiday accrued was used in lieu of notice and added to compassionate leave , family comes first but when you are loyal to your colleagues and employer it leaves you feeling guilty

I'm going to text my manager soon. I keep trying to think about when it would be best for her to receive the news which is going to spoil her weekend. Ugh!

It is ironic surely, any organisation which is in the business of “caring” and I include education, social work, NHS and private sector, should put care for its staff high on its priorities.
Teachers often got a sniff of disapproval in my experience, if they took time off to care for sick children (1 day was the entitlement, more than that “discretionary” ) and I once had to tie myself in knots and call in favours from all and sundry faced with a week of chickenpox!

It may be a bit inconvenient for your employers but if they cant understand your reasons they shouldn't be in the business they are in.
Thinking of you MA. Sending love and a big hug xx

You have to put family first - no question. Your employers have to take responsibility for sorting it out - it goes with the job of being boss.

Thank you, baggs. I'm not expecting them to be too terrible to me about it, but I realise it leaves them in a real fix, since my job is caring for someone, with just 2 other staff in my particular work place.

Pamela, I would say I will be leaving for good. Possibly I would work one day a week, if they would allow me, so that I could claim carers allowance still, but I'm not sure they will consider that, as they need someone to take on the hours I have been doing.

Honesty is the best policy. Just tell them straight out. If they don't like it, that's too bad because, like you, they don't have a choice in the matter. You have to do what you have to do. All the best

PS They can 'not like it' but still be sympathetic.

Are you leaving for good? It sounds as though you are but I may be wrong and you would like to return to your job.
As I ran a small business I have experience with this problem from the other side and I would always appreciate knowing ASAP.
I can't say ,obviously, how they will take it but you have to be honest and you have to do what you have to do.

Thank you too, dumpling. Hopefully they'll be understanding, I just have this awful feeling of letting them down.

Ah, thank you Maw. I'm a terrible coward about these things. I always want to do the 'right' thing by everyone, and end up making things worse.
Your words have helped.

YOu have to put your family first, and I hope they will be understanding.
If not, tough, it’s still family first.

They are only a very small company, so they don't pay sick leave. I think I can ask for 3 days compassionate leave, but obviously that won't be enough. I feel awful as I have taken on some overtime in the next two weeks as well, but family circumstances are overriding at the minute, and for the foreseeable future; some months, I would say.

No direct experience, but a woman where I used to work had to leave in a hurry. She was open with the firm as she had good reason to leave and there wasn't a problem. She returned to work with us a couple of years later.

Are they likely to be amenable to “compassionate grounds”
Most employers would/should .
You have to prioritise and if (as I assume) you have valid reasons, only a skinflint would turn you down.
Or could you take sick leave or holiday leave?