Carer's leave policy

The University recognises that many staff will have caring responsibilities at some stage in their lives and continuing to work while caring can help the physical and mental wellbeing of employees and provide them with social interaction outside of their caring role. 

Staying in work or returning to work while undertaking caring responsibilities may feel like a daunting prospect and you may find it helpful to take some time off, or to ask the University if you can work flexibly. 

If you are an unpaid carer, you will be entitled to up to 5* days carer’s leave, (*depending on your working week) within any 12 month period. There is no minimum period of service required and if eligible, you will be able to take this from day one of your employment.  You can take this leave flexibly, including as individual or half days. 

If should be noted that Carer's leave must be taken for the purpose of providing or arranging care for a dependant with a long-term care need. 

A dependant covers: 

• your spouse, civil partner, child or parent; 
• any person who lives in the same household as you (other than as a lodger, tenant, boarder or employee); or 
• any other person who would reasonably rely on you to provide or arrange care. 

To have a long-term care need, the dependant must: 

• have an illness or injury (whether physical or mental) that requires, or is likely to require, care for more than three months; 
• have a condition that amounts to a disability under the Equality Act 2010; or 
• require care for a reason connected with their old age. 

This means that you would not be eligible to take carer's leave to cover general childcare responsibilities unless your child has a long-term care need.   

The University does however have a range of other policies where time-off can be requested in different circumstances, including for the unplanned sickness of injury of a family member, for a career breaks and flexible working. 

Other time-off policies include: 

• Time off for dependants 
• Unpaid parental leave 
• Annual leave and pay 
• Unpaid career break 
• Safe Leave 

If you have any questions relating to carer’s leave and how to request this, please contact your Manager or People Partner.