Kent Solicitors

There is a right for an employee to take off to look after dependants for an emergency or unexpected situation. However, this does not cover accompanying visits planned in advance.

Check you contract to see if it gives a right to compassionate leaveIf not, plan your holiday as best you can. The employer may find it easier to arrange cover, if you take whole days, rather than half days off

Otherwise, you are thrown onto your employer's goodwill. As with most relationships, it helps if you have built up goodwill, in order to have a moral reason to ask to draw on it

Remember: a contract cuts both ways. The employer promises to provide work and pay. The employee promises to devote certain time and effort to the business - sometimes, to meet certain targets. Breach can lead to disciplinary measures and dismissal but the employer must operate a minimum procedure before imposing either sanction - else it is unfair dismissal

Labels: time off dependants unfiar dismissal compassionate leave