Time Off for Dependants Policy template
Statutory right to reasonable unpaid time off to deal with emergencies involving dependants.
- Employment Rights Act 1996, s.57A
What the policy covers
- 1. ENTITLEMENTAll employees have a statutory right to a reasonable amount of unpaid time off work to deal with unexpected or sudden emergencies involving a dependant.
- 4. AMOUNT OF LEAVEThe right is to a reasonable amount of time off.
- 5. NOTIFICATIONEmployees must tell your company as soon as reasonably practicable the reason for the absence and how long they expect to be away.
- 6. PAYTime off under this right is unpaid unless the company chooses to pay at its discretion.
- 7. PROTECTIONEmployees are protected from dismissal or detriment for exercising this right.
Who needs it
Any UK employer running rotas, leave and the day-to-day of employing people. These set out the rules once so nobody argues about them twice.
Questions people ask
Is a time off for dependants policy a legal requirement?
It rests on Employment Rights Act 1996, s.57A. Some policies must be written down once a business reaches a certain size or does certain work; others are simply how a tribunal, an inspector or a client's auditor expects to see that you have thought about it. A clear, dated, signed policy is the evidence either way. Guidance, not legal advice.
Can I change it to suit how we work?
Yes. Inside Work-Lynx it is a starting point: put your company name in, adjust the arrangements to what you actually do, set the review date and publish it. Staff read and acknowledge it on their phones, and you can see who has not.
Is it up to date?
Last reviewed April 2025. The pack is updated when the law moves, and every policy carries a review date so it does not quietly go stale.
How do I get it?
It is preloaded in Work-Lynx with the other 48 UK policies. Work-Lynx is £2.50 a month plus £1 per employee, 14 days free, no card, and what you see on the pricing page is the bill.
Who is it for?
Any UK employer running rotas, leave and the day-to-day of employing people. These set out the rules once so nobody argues about them twice.
All 49 UK policies, £2.50 a month
This policy and 48 others are already in Work-Lynx, alongside GPS clock-in, rotas, timesheets, leave and Employ AI for UK employment law. £2.50 base plus £1 per employee a month. 14 days free, no card, no sales call.
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