Have you added this new Carer’s leave to your Employee Handbook?

Have you added this new Carer’s leave to your Employee Handbook?

Carer’s leave comes into force on 6 April 2024. It is a completely new right to take up to one week per year from day 1 of employment to provide care or assist someone who is dependant on them who has a long-term care need.

• Carer’s leave will be available from day 1 and will be unpaid.
• The right to carer’s leave is intended for planned activities or assistance provided by an employee to somebody dependant upon them who has a long term care need.
• Carer’s leave is not the same as time off for dependants leave, which is for emergency situations.
• It is possible to postpone carer’s leave for up to one month where it would unduly disrupt the employer’s business.
• Employees can take a maximum of one week of carer’s leave per rolling 12 month period.
• An employee can make a complaint to the employment tribunal that they have suffered a detriment or been dismissed due to taking carer’s leave.
• Dismissing an employee for taking carer’s leave will be automatically unfair.

If you would like support to write a Carer’s leave policy, contact Foreshore HR via Email: sam@foreshorehr.com or Telephone: 023 9298 2685