Clause and Effect: Carer’s Leave Regulations
Joanna Rose · Posted on: April 17th 2026 · read
The Carer’s Leave Regulations have been in force since 6 April 2024, giving employees with caring responsibilities a new statutory right to one week of unpaid leave per year.
This entitlement is available from day one of employment and should now be reflected in your policies and Employee Handbook.
Key points include:
- Employees are entitled to one week of unpaid time off (in a rolling 12-month period) to provide or arrange care for a dependent with long-term care needs
- Time off can be either consecutive or non-consecutive half-days or full days
- Employees should ensure that any requested leave is notified by at least twice the length of the requested leave, or three days if longer
- A request can be deferred if it would unduly disrupt business operations
- Protection against dismissal or other detriment for employees who have applied for leave
More details are available in the January 2024 newsletter.
HR Solutions can review any existing policy you have in place or update your Employee Handbook to incorporate this and other regulation changes that came into force on 6 April 2024.
