Originally Posted by
Northern Monkey
This hasn't been my experience. Out of 4 applications for parental leave I have only been successful once. On top of that it is never approved out of the gate, it is always waitlisted and you are left unable to make plans.
Do you mind me asking if for the other 3 they offered you alternative dates? The theory goes that you can ask for upto 4 weeks per year per child and whilst your employer can refuse, has to give you an alternative time within 6 months of the original date requested.
(FWIW I tried that argument at a previous employer and they offered dates unpaid that I was already due to be on leave, not really in the spirit!!)