Time off for emergencies


A. No, they do not have a statutory right to paid time off, though employees have a statutory right to unpaid time off. And there is a possibility that the employer might offer paid leave under a family-friendly policy. 


In accordance with section 57A of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees are entitled to reasonable unpaid time off work to help with family emergencies involving a dependent. A dependent would include a spouse, partner, child, grandchild and parent, or another person who is dependent on the member for care. The amount of time considered reasonable will depend on the nature of the emergency and so will vary with each request.


Depending on the situation, another option is for the member to request compassionate leave which may be offered by the employer on a paid or unpaid basis. You’ll need to check the contract of employment, policies and staff handbook to establish whether this, or payment for emergency time off, is available. 


Recent research published by the TUC has revealed that 50% of young parents are unaware of the right to unpaid emergency dependency leave.