Time off for dependants
Page updated: 20/10/2026
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, all employees (regardless of their length of service) have the right to take a ‘reasonable’ amount of unpaid time off work without notice to deal with particular unexpected emergencies affecting their dependants.
Time off must be needed for a dependant. Dependant is defined as including:
Spouse: Husband ,wife, civil partner
Child: This means a child of any age.
Parent: This includes step parents.
Someone who lives in the same household: this includes partners or elderly relatives living with the employee but does not include an employee, tenant, lodger or boarder.
There is no service requirement to qualify for time off.
We recommend that you read the following policy and guidance:
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