

an employee has an emergency but the right to time off for dependants does not apply – for example, if the person they need to help is not a dependant.

These types of leave might be alternatives if: check their organisation's policy, if there is oneĪn employer might offer other types of leave that employees could use instead of time off for dependants.To find out what they're entitled to, employees should: taking a dependant to hospital when they go into labour unexpectedlyĪn employer might choose to pay their employees for this type of leave but they do not have to.helping a dependant who is ill, injured or assaulted.

When to use this type of leaveĪn employee can take time off if they need to help a dependant when there's an unexpected problem or emergency. How much time they need will depend on what has happened. The employer should be as flexible as they can be, depending on the employee's circumstances. It just says the amount should be 'reasonable'. The law does not say how much time an employee can take off, or how many occasions.
