Policies to Support Carers
A range of University policies can be used to help support employees who need time off to care for relatives or dependents either on a short or longer term basis.
Carer's Leave
From 1 April 2024, the University is introducing a new entitlement of up to 5 days (pro rata) unpaid carer’s leave per year under the Special Leave Policy. This entitlement is in addition to the other leave options outlined below, including Time off for Dependants which can be used to deal with emergency situations involving care for dependants.
Carer’s leave can be used to provide or arrange care for dependant who relies on you for care. A dependant does not need to be a member of your immediate family. It could, for example, be an elderly neighbour. The individuals cared for must have a long-term health need (this can include issues relating to old age). A long-term health need could also be a life limiting illness. In these circumstances, Compassionate Leave may also be considered under the University’s Special Leave Policy.
Flexible Working
Flexible working usually involves requests for permanent changes to working patterns but it is also possible to ask for temporary or rolling requests to be considered to help carers through difficult situations.
For example:
- A reduction in hours could be adopted for a 6 month period initially to allow a Carer to have more time for caring responsibilities. The arrangement could be reviewed after the initial agreed period and either extended or concluded depending on a Carer’s circumstances.
- Annualised hours could be adopted to allow a Carer to fulfil an agreed number of hours at work over a period of time, but allowing periods of time to be taken off to fulfil caring responsibilities.
The above are examples that have been adopted within the University. Other options can be explored with HR in the first instance.
Parental Leave
If a carer needs time off to care for their child up to the age of 18 the parental leave policy may be of assistance.
A parent may take up to four weeks unpaid leave a year to care for a child (up to 18 weeks in total).
Time off for Dependents
Time off for dependents can be given to help a carer cope with the immediate impact of emergency situations such as a child falling ill at school or a parent having an accident and needing medical attention.
The University provides up to 10 days’ paid leave per calendar year (pro rata for part time employees) to help employees cope with unforeseen problems affecting people that they have responsibility for.
Special and Other Leave
In certain circumstances employees may apply for special leave to cope with difficult or unusual situations not covered by other policies.
This might include compassionate leave or bereavement leave.
Employees should speak to their line manager and/or HR for advice but all requests will be treated with sensitivity.
