The leave is unpaid unless your employer offers more. Your employment rights, like holidays and returning to your job, are protected.
Quick facts
- How much
- One week every 12 months
- Pay
- Unpaid
- From
- Your first day
- Notice
- At least 3 days for a day or half day
- Evidence needed
- None
Who you can care for
Employees are entitled to unpaid leave to give or arrange care for a ‘dependant’ who has:
- a physical or mental illness or injury that means they’re expected to need care for more than 3 months
- a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010)
- care needs because of their old age
The dependant does not have to be a family member. It can be anyone who relies on them for care.
How much you can take
Employees can take up to one week of leave every 12 months. A ‘week’ means the length of time they usually work over 7 days. For example, if someone usually works 3 days a week, they can take 3 days of carer’s leave.
They can either take a whole week off or take individual days or half days throughout the year.
Giving notice
If the request is for half a day or a day, the notice period must be at least 3 days.
If the request is for more than one day, the notice period must be at least twice as long as the requested leave.
The request does not have to be in writing.
Employees do not need to give evidence of their dependant’s care needs.
Can your employer say no?
Employers cannot refuse a carer’s leave request but can ask the employee to take it at a different time. They can only do this if the employee’s absence would cause serious disruption to the organisation.
If you need to look after someone in an emergency, see time off for dependants.
Common questions
How much carer's leave do I get?
Up to one week every 12 months, based on the time you usually work over 7 days.
Is carer's leave paid?
No. It is unpaid leave.
Do I need to prove the care needs?
No. Employees do not need to give evidence of their dependant’s care needs.
Can my employer refuse?
No, but they can ask you to take it at a different time if your absence would cause serious disruption.