Updated 18/03/2024

We may find ourselves in a family situation which necessitates us taking a few hours or days off work to attend to an unexpected problem. This is where leave for urgent domestic circumstances comes in.

Who Is Eligible?

This leave is for an employee to look after a dependant person which is defined as:

– a spouse, civil partner, child or parent or grandparent or co-habitee living in the same household; or
– a person who reasonably relies on the employee for assistance if the person is injured or ill or a normal care arrangement fails.

Amount of Time off

A reasonable amount of unpaid time off to deal with an immediate crisis involving a dependant individual (from a few hours to a few days, for example). It is unpaid although some employers may be willing to grant some paid leave for this purpose.

The time off is for a limited purpose e.g. to arrange a stand or to deal with an accident at school to your own child.  It is not for personally looking after the dependant beyond the immediate crisis.

The employee must tell his/her employer as soon as reasonably practicable.

TIP – discuss the need with your manager as early as practicable as that will help the manager to make cover arrangements.

Pay
This is leave without pay – but a manager may pay a sum at his/her discretion.

Similar Right

See the heading for Carer’s Leave for a Dependant but note this has more conditions to qualify for that leave.