Carer’s leave
Workers are legally entitled to time off work, including carer's leave. This guide explains what carer's leave is and how to ask for it.
Carer’s leave is time off work to care for someone who depends on you. This could be a family member or someone who relies on you for care because of illness, disability, injury or age.
You can take carer’s leave to help with planned or unexpected caring responsibilities. This might include:
- taking them to appointments
- arranging care
- providing personal support
Carer’s leave is available from the first day of employment.
An employee can take carer’s leave if they are caring for a dependant with a long-term care need.
A dependant could be:
- a spouse,partneror civil partner
- a child
- a parent
- someone who lives with you
- someone who relies on you for care
A long-term care need includes:
- a disability
- an illness or injury lasting more than 3 months
- care needs related to old age
Employees can take up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave in a 12-month period.
The leave can be taken in:
- full days
- half days
- a single block or separate days
A week is based on how many days you normally work. For example, if you work 5 days a week, you can take up to 5 days of leave.
No, carer’s leave is unpaid.
However, some employers may offer paid leave depending on their policy. You should check your employment contract or speak to your manager to understand what support is available.
Employees should give notice to take carer’s leave. The notice period must be:
- at least twice the length of the leave requested, or
- a minimum of 3 days’ notice
For example, if you want to take 2 days of leave, you should give at least 4 days’ notice.
Employers cannot refuse a request for carer’s leave, but they can delay it if there is a valid business reason. They must:
- explain the reason
- agree an alternative date within one month of the original request
Employees taking carer’s leave have the right to:
- return to the same job
- keep the same terms and conditions, including holiday entitlement and benefits
It is against the law for an employer to treat someone unfairly or dismiss them because of taking carer’s leave.