New Carer’s Leave Regulations

Under the Carer’s Leave Regulations 2024 employees will be able to apply for up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave in any 12 month period.

This will be a statutory, day one right that comes into force on 6 April 2024. The right will apply to employees who:

• have a dependant with a long-term care need, and
• who want to be absent from work to provide/arrange care for that dependant

Employees must give written notice of their intention to take carer’s leave – and that leave request can be for consecutive or non-consecutive half-days or full days. The written request must contain prescribed information and the correct notice period for making the request must be observed.

Employers can postpone requests if the leave would unduly disrupt the operation of the business – however, notice of a postponement must be given before the leave was due to begin and explain why the postponement is necessary.

If postponed, the employer:

• must allow the employee to take the leave within one month of the start-date of the leave
• originally requested, and
  should reschedule the leave in consultation with the employee.

Any employees seeking to take/taking carers leave are protected from detriment and/or dismissal.

Whilst a statutory right, employers are advised to include this in their current family friendly policies or have a stand-alone Carer’s Policy.

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