Time off for dependants (compassionate leave)
You have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on you. This is sometimes called 'compassionate leave'. Your employer can’t penalise you for taking the time off, as long as your reasons for taking it are genuine.
Your right to time off for dependants
If you are an 'employee', you have the right to unpaid time off work to deal with emergencies involving a 'dependant'. This could be your:
- husband
- wife
- partner
- child
- parent
- anyone living in your household as a member of the family
A dependant may also be anyone who reasonably relies on you for help in an emergency, for example this could be an elderly neighbour living alone who falls and breaks a leg and you are the closest on hand.
You should check your contract, written statement of employment or company handbook for details of the policy on time off for dependants and compassionate leave.
What counts as an emergency
An emergency could be any unexpected or sudden problem involving someone who depends on your help or care. The right to time off for dependants could apply to a wide range of different circumstances. Examples of common situations where you could be entitled to take time off include:
- if a dependant falls ill
- if a dependant has been injured or assaulted
- if a dependant is having a baby
- issues around a dependant's care arrangements
- unexpected incidents involving children at school
- if a dependant dies
If a dependant falls ill
The illness or injury doesn’t necessarily have to be serious or life-threatening, and may be mental or physical. It could be a result of a deterioration of an existing condition. For example, a dependant may be suffering from a mental health condition and may not need full-time care, but there could be occasions when their condition deteriorates and you need to take unexpected time off work. You could also take time off work to make longer-term care arrangements for the dependant.
If a dependant has been injured or assaulted
The right to take time off may be available if a dependant is a victim of a mugging or similar incident, even if they have not been physically hurt if they need comfort or help. You could also take time off work to make longer-term care arrangements for the dependant.
When a dependant is having a baby
This does not include taking time off after the birth to care for the child as you could be entitled to paternity or parental leave for this purpose.
When there is an unexpected disruption of care arrangements
For example, if a childminder or nurse fails to turn up as arranged, or the nursery or nursing home has to close unexpectedly.
When your child has an unexpected incident during school hours
For example, if your child has been involved in a fight, is distressed, has been injured on a school trip or is being suspended from school.
When a dependant dies
When a dependant dies, you can take time off to make funeral arrangements and go to a funeral. If the funeral is overseas you will need to agree a reasonable length of absence with your employer.
Taking time off for a dependant
You can take time off regardless of your length of service. If you do need time off you should let your employer know as soon as you can, although you don't have to do it in writing or provide evidence. If you return to work before you’ve had the chance to contact your employer, you must still tell them why you were absent.
How much time you can take off
You are allowed 'reasonable' time off to deal with the emergency and make any arrangements that are needed. There's no set amount of time allowed to deal with an unexpected event involving a dependant as it will vary depending on what the event is, but for most cases one or two days should be enough to deal with the problem.
For example, if your child falls ill you can take enough time off to deal with their initial needs, like taking them to the doctor and arranging for their care. But you’ll need to make other arrangements if you want to stay off work longer to care for them yourself.
If both parents wish to take time off for a dependant they should try to adopt a common-sense approach with your employer. Both parents may need to take time off if their child has had a serious accident, however it is unlikely to be necessary for both parents to be absent for work if the childminder fails to turn up.
There's no limit to the number of times you can take time off for dependants, provided it's for real emergencies. If your employer feels that you are taking more time off than they can cope with, they should warn you of this. If you need to be off for longer than you thought to deal with something, contact your employer as soon as you can to let them know why telling them how long you might need. Try to give details in writing as soon as you can. Your employer may have a form they'll need you to fill in.
Getting paid for time off
Your employer doesn't have to pay you for time off for dependants, but they may choose to do so. Check your contract of employment to see if there's a policy about this.
Keeping disruption to a minimum
Try to cause as little disruption to your employer as possible. For example, if your mother's day carer has unexpectedly quit, try to get other family members to look after her instead of you while you look for a replacement.
When the right to time off doesn't apply
Problems not involving a dependant
You don't have the right to time off for every problem. A burst boiler at home or problems with your dog don't count, as neither involves a dependant. Time off to care for people who don't count as a dependant, like going with a friend to hospital for example aren't covered. Your employer can still choose to allow you time off if they wish, or you could take the time out of some of your paid holiday. If it happens regularly, it may be more useful to consider using a flexible working arrangement.
When you know about something in advance
The right to time off for dependants only covers emergencies and so doesn't apply if you know about an event in advance. For example, if you want time off to take your child into hospital in a week's time the right doesn't apply, although you may be able to take it as parental leave instead.
Compassionate leave
If you need time off to cope with a situation that doesn't fall under the 'time off for dependants' right, you may have a right to time off under your contract of employment. Many employers will have a scheme for compassionate leave and details should be included in your contract or company handbook.
If the situation is not covered by any scheme then you can still ask your employer for the time off, although they do not have to agree to your request.
What to do if you have problems
It's unfair of your employer to refuse you reasonable time off to deal with an unexpected event involving a dependant. It's also unfair to dismiss or penalise you by not giving you promotion, training or the use of facilities you'd normally be offered. If you're dismissed, made redundant or penalised because of the right, or you are refused reasonable time off, you can complain to an Industrial Tribunal.
If your complaint is successful the tribunal may make an order for you to receive compensation, be re-employed or re-instated.