workSMART from the TUC

This information is taken from workSMART.org.uk, the help and advice portal for all people at work, from the TUC.

dependants' and urgent personal leave

All employees have the right to ‘reasonable’ time off work to help people such as family members or friends who depend on them for assistance in an emergency. There is no set limit on how much time off can be taken but you can only take off the time necessary to sort out the immediate ‘problem’.

This time off does not have to be paid by the employer, even though the leave may only be for a few hours during a paid working day. However some employers (often those with trade union agreements on ‘family’, ‘special’ or ‘carer’s’ leave) already give paid leave in these circumstances, perhaps up to a certain number of days per year.


further information

Time off for families: Know your rights leaflet

workSMART Know Your Rights

Download our Know Your Rights leaflet "Time off for families" as a .pdf file

(you will need Adobe Acrobat to view this file, click here for free downloads of this software)