Government set to introduce entitlement to carer’s leave
24 September 2021
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published its response to the consultation which explored allowing employees to take a week of unpaid leave each year to provide care.
The response confirms that a new entitlement to carer’s leave will be introduced as a day one right for employees. Unpaid carers will be able to take up to one week (five working days) of unpaid leave per year. The leave can be taken flexibly, either in individual day or half days, up to a block of one week.
Employees will need to give notice ahead of taking carer’s leave, which is in line with that of annual leave. Employees will be required to give notice that is twice the length of the time being requested as leave, plus one day. There will be no requirement for an employee to provide evidence for their entitlement to carer’s leave and they can self-certificate.
The document also provides a summary of responses collected from individuals and stakeholders. It explains that legislation will be brought forward to introduce carer’s leave as a day one statutory employment right when Parliamentary time allows.
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