Final legislation passed in Parliament seals a groundbreaking new right for two million employees with unpaid caring responsibilities to take up to five days of Carer’s Leave.

It sets out the final working details of how employees will be able to request Carer’s Leave from their employer when the law comes into force on 6 April 2024. The regulations set out that employees can take Carer’s Leave in full or half days, or in a whole block of five days, and must give advance notice that is twice the length of time that needs to be taken.

The regulations for the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 make clear that employees in Great Britain with a long-term unpaid caring responsibility for a family member or friend will be able take up to five days of unpaid Carer’s Leave. They will have the same employment protections associated with other forms of family-related leave, such as protection from dismissal as a result of having taken the leave.

Read more at Carers UK’s website.

A Bill that gives employees across Great Britain the right to take unpaid leave from work to care for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives or friends has now received Royal Assent.

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 will ensure that the estimated two million employees currently juggling paid employment and caring responsibilities will be able to take up to five days of unpaid Carer’s Leave to support their loved ones.

The earliest date the legislation would come into force is April 2024 but the date is yet to be confirmed. Details of the regulations and guidance are currently being developed will be shared by the UK Government in due course.

Employers that are keen to understand more about the implications of the Carer’s Leave Act and how to better support carers in their staff teams can find out more from Carers UK’s employers forum, Employers for Carers.

Read more at Carers UK’s website.