Unpaid carers in Argyll and Bute have been urged to take advantage of a new law.
People in employment are now entitled to take unpaid leave to provide care or arrange care for a ‘dependant’ who requires care for a period of over three months.
This can be due to a physical or mental illness or injury, a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010, or care needs arising from old age.
The dependant can be anyone who relies on the employee for care and does not necessarily have to be a family member.
Employees can take carer’s leave from their first day of work, and their employment rights, such as holidays and returning to their job, are protected while on leave.
Kirsty MacKenzie, Argyll and Bute carers act officer said: “Unpaid carers deliver exceptional care across Argyll and Bute.
“Balancing work and caring can be extremely challenging, which can be eased with employers support and awareness of the caring role an employee has.
“The new Carer’s Leave Act is very much welcomed and will help support carers in their workplace.
“I would also encourage employees to inquire about their own employer’s carer leave policy, and to share information and raise awareness of the new Carer Leave Act with friends and families who have caring roles.”
Employees are entitled to take a maximum of one week of leave every 12 months.
The duration of a ‘week corresponds to the number of days they usually work within seven days.
As an example, if someone typically works three days per week, they can take up to three days of carer’s leave.
Employers cannot refuse a carer’s leave request, but they may ask the m to take the leave at a different time if their absence would cause serious disruption to the organisation.
If the employer delays the leave, they must agree on a new date within one month of the requested date for the leave.
Additionally, the employer must put the reason for the delay and the new date in writing to the employee within seven days of the original request, and before the requested start date of the leave.
Employees are not required to submit a written request or provide evidence of their dependents’ care needs.
If an employee needs to care for someone in an emergency, they can take time off without giving prior notice.
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