Carer’s Leave Act 2024

The Carer’s Leave Act 2024 has recently been given the seal of approval. The act brings in a new right for employees to take five days of unpaid leave per annum to care for dependants with long term needs.

This new legislation came into force from the 6^th April 2024, and instigates the statutory entitlement to carer’s leave. The passing of the Carer’s Leave Act has ensured much needed Employment rights for carer’s.

Leave under the act is flexible. The leave does not need to be taken consecutively, but a minimum of half a day must be requested at one time, employees can now take up to one weeks leave over a 12 month period. The leave is calculated at the length of time an employee works over a seven day period.

Who can take leave under the Carer’s Act 2024?

The right to leave is available to all employees from day one of employment. Employees will be entitled to unpaid leave to arrange or give care for a dependant who has, a mental or physical illness or injury, a disability, or an individual who needs care due to their old age. This includes, spouses, civil partner, children and parents in addition to those who are dependant with long-term care needs, however the dependant individual does not need to be a family member, it can be anyone who relies on the employee for care.

Can an employer refuse the leave?

Employers cannot refuse a carer’s leave request, however they can ask that the leave be postponed and taken at a different time. Employers can only request it is postponed if the leave will cause a serious disruption within the company. If the employer decide that they need to postpone the leave, they must provide in writing the reason for the postponement and provide a new date in writing in a maximum of seven days from the original request for leave, and they must agree another date with the employee within one month of the original date leave was requested.

Employees are protected from detriment and dismissal if they take or seek to take carer’s leave.

Employers will need to ensure that their policies and procedures are up to date to reflect this new right.

We have a dedicated employment team at Franklins. If we can be of any assistance to you, please contact the Employment Law team on 01604 828282 / 01908 660966 or email info@franklins-sols.co.uk 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is accurate as of the date of publication. It should not be construed as legal advice. Laws and regulations may change, and the content may not reflect the most current legal developments. We recommend consulting with a qualified solicitor for specific legal guidance tailored to your situation.