New Form and Letters to Assist Employers in Managing Carer’s Leave Requests

Employee Carers

According to the charity Carers UK, there are more than two million employees currently balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. With effect from April 2024, employees gained a day-one right to take a week of unpaid leave annually to care for a dependant.

What is Carer’s Leave? 

Carer’s leave is designed for employees who need to care for dependants with long-term care needs, including spouses, children, parents, or anyone relying on the employee for care. The dependant must have a condition requiring care for over three months, a disability, or age-related issues. 

Employees can take the leave flexibly, in half or full days, up to a week in total and they must give notice to their employer. Notice must be given by whichever is the earlier of: 

• twice as many days in advance e.g. 4 days’ notice for 2 days’ leave)
• or 3 days in advance (of the earliest day or half day requested)

Managing Carer’s Leave for Employers

Employers cannot refuse a request for carer's leave but can postpone it if the leave would significantly disrupt business operations. They must, however, provide written notice of postponement and arrange an alternative time within a month.
In addition to the Carer’s Leave Policy, new templates are now available to assist employers with managing carer’s leave requests, including a Carer’s Leave Request Form and a suite of letters to manage the process.