Time off to care for dependent relatives

Uncertain

On behalf of a friend, does anybody have any relevant experience?

Obviously I know that an employee has a legal right to short periods of unpaid leave to care for dependents.

What is a short period and how many such periods are reasonable?

Is there any case law to support this?

In case it helps the current situation is a middle aged person caring for an elderly and infirm mother.

Googlewhacker

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_10026555

A quick look suggests that it is only for emergancies so if there is a prolonged period of time required then the employee would be better speaking the employer about whether they can come to an agreement.

Ie part time work or flexible work etc.

Googlewhacker

Taking time off for a dependant

Letting your employer know about taking time off

You can take time off regardless of your length of service. If you do need time off you should let your employer know as soon as you can, although you don't have to do it in writing or provide evidence.
If you return to work before you have had the chance to contact your employer, you must still tell them why you were absent.

How much time you are allowed to take off

You are allowed 'reasonable' time off to deal with the emergency and make any arrangements that are needed. There's no set amount of time allowed to deal with an unexpected event involving a dependant - it will vary depending on what the event is but for most cases one or two days should be sufficient to deal with the problem.
For example, if your child falls ill you can take enough time off to deal with their initial needs, such as taking them to the doctor and arranging for their care. However, you will need to make other arrangements if you want to stay off work longer to care for them yourself.

If both parents wish to take time off for a dependant you should try to adopt a common-sense approach with your employer. Both parents may need to take time off work if your child has had a serious accident, however it is unlikely to be necessary if the childminder fails to turn up.

There's no limit to the number of times you can take time off for dependants, provided it's for real emergencies. If your employer feels that you are taking more time off than they can cope with, they should warn you of this.

If you need to be off for longer than you thought to deal with something, contact your employer as soon as you can to let them know why and how long you might need. Try to give them these details in writing as soon as you can. Your employer may have a form they will need you to fill in.

Uncertain

Yes, thanks but I know what the direct.gov website says!

What I was hoping for was an idea of what is generally regarded as "reasonable" by larger employers.

Googlewhacker

Uncertain wrote: »

Yes, thanks but I know what the direct.gov website says!

What I was hoping for was an idea of what is generally regarded as "reasonable" by larger employers.

Only trying to help......

As you should know all employers are differant, some will allow extensive time of some won't.

Your friend would be better to just ask the question.

SarEl

Uncertain wrote: »

Yes, thanks but I know what the direct.gov website says!

What I was hoping for was an idea of what is generally regarded as "reasonable" by larger employers.

What is reasonable depends on every individual circumstance, but as a rule of thumb a short period is not generally more than a day and often less, because the right to based on "emergency" - so it isn't for someone to care for a dependant but more to arrange for care when let down, for example. Anyone doing this regularly would be rsiking their job - nobody should have that many emergencies.

Are you perhaps confusing this with flexible working rights, which cater for working patterns that reflect carer responsibilities (although no employer has to agree to such requests)?

Uncertain

SarEl wrote: »

What is reasonable depends on every individual circumstance, but as a rule of thumb a short period is not generally more than a day and often less, because the right to based on "emergency" - so it isn't for someone to care for a dependant but more to arrange for care when let down, for example. Anyone doing this regularly would be rsiking their job - nobody should have that many emergencies.

What happens if the only relative lives hundreds of miles away?

teabelly

I think your friend needs to talk to their employer and tell them of the situation and what time off they need and whether the employer can cater for them or not in terms of flexible working, holiday, unpaid leave etc. If they can't then your friend will have to decide whether to jack in the job and get a more flexible one or leave the mother to look after themselves a bit more. It's a difficult choice if they have financial commitments that could be jeopardised by doing the caring for her.

Your friend should probably contact somewhere like Age Concern as they may know of assisted care schemes or other help. I am pretty sure you used to be able to get free care in a residential home for a few weeks after a hospital stay. Don't know whether you still can.

liney

I think you will have difficulty defining a relative who lives hundreds of miles away as a dependant. In what way on a day to day basis is this person dependant on your friend?

paddedjohn

If they live hundreds of miles away then they are not a 'dependant'

Uncertain

liney wrote: »

I think you will have difficulty defining a relative who lives hundreds of miles away as a dependent. In what way on a day to day basis is this person dependent on your friend?

They were able to look after themselves but are not now.

Obviously long term plans have to be made. What I'm asking is how much unpaid time off is reasonable for my friend to do this?