Can I Reject Unpaid Infant Care Leave?

Can an employee’s application for unpaid Infant Care Leave be rejected if there is urgent work to be completed during those days?

Yes. As in all other forms of paid leave, the employer should discuss with his/her employee and mutually agree on a suitable time to take the Infant Care Leave so that the employee’s entitlement of six days of infant care leave is not affected.

If the employee needs the leave to attend to matters that cannot be postponed (e.g. child immunisation, medical appointments), the employer is strongly encouraged to grant the leave.