The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service ( ACAS ) have provided updated advice for employers and employees on taking leave during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a ‘dependant’) in an unexpected event or emergency. This could apply to situations to do with Coronavirus
A dependant does not necessarily live with the person, for example they could be an elderly neighbour or relative who relies on the person for help.
There’s no statutory right to pay for this time off, but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or workplace policy.
The amount of time off an employee takes to look after someone must be reasonable for the situation. For example, they might take 2 days off to start with, and if more time is needed, they can book holiday.
This advice may be useful to support management of circumstances where personal assistants request time off work to help someone who depends on them for example if they become unwell due to COVID-19 .
More information is available on the ACAS website .
