I have a sick (but not dying) sister with 3 kids. As far as work are concerned, I visit every fortnight to help out and rush up to see them every time there's an emergency or they need childcare.
I haven't seen the sister in four years and only see my nephews twice a year when they visit Grandma but work don't need to know that
double down, even, and tell them the kid has a debilitating chronic disease that you regularly need to take time off work to bring to appointments and provide support for.
I don't feel the need to defraud the government and our limited social welfare taxes. I'll happily tell my employer white lies about family who don't exist, but never the government.
Americans outside of trades: "Contract"? What's that? Is that like when my employer makes me sign papers saying I can't sue them if I get hospitalized because of their negligence?
Protip: you don't owe your employer an explanation for turning down overtime, for refusing to do unpaid work, for refusing to pick up extra shifts, or for not being able to participate in heroics or death marches.