When can an employee take a parental leave? What instances warrant this kind of leave?

From what I know, you can take a parental leave when you need to be able to spend time with your child.

Well, you can take a parental leave straight from your maternity, paternity, or adoption leave. A parental leave in this instance will enable you to care for your children or spend time with them in their early years.

Of course when your child gets hospitalized, you are entitled to a parental leave. This also includes the time you have to spend time with your child as he or she recuperates.

I took a parental leave when I had to look at new schools for my daughters.

When you are without a nanny or when circumstances lead to your children not having someone to look after them.

What if you need to take a parental leave and your employer won't permit you?

Well, if your reasons for taking a parental leave are legitimate or valid and you are refused, talk to your employer and/or an HR personnel about this. If the issue doesn't get resolved and you are still denied your right to take a leave, then you can file a complaint in accordance with your organization's grievance procedure.

Also, if you have an employee representative or a trade union rep, you can ask for their assistance.

Just in case that you take a parental leave due to an emergency and your organisation refused, could they discipline you if you went ahead even without approval?