What is compassionate leave?

Compassionate leave which can also be called ‘time off for dependents’ or ‘bereavement leave’ depending on the context, is a type of unpaid leave in the UK which provides for emergency situations involving a dependent of an employee. Employers have the discretion to decide to pay their employees when they take this kind of leave.

Can compassionate leave be extended?

There is no set limit or allowance when it comes to compassionate leave. When it comes to taking time off to deal with an emergency involving dependents, you are allowed to take a ‘reasonable’ amount of time off. This is a subjective measurement and depends on the specific circumstances. Be careful, though, as we’ve seen, since employees don’t have a statutory right to bereavement leave specifically, employers may stipulate a limit or maximum amount of time that employees can take after the death of a loved one.

How many days compassionate leave are you entitled to UK?

Compassionate leave provides for a ‘reasonable amount of time’ depending on the emergency at hand. This gives employees an amount of freedom to adapt to the situation they’re dealing with, without feeling stressed or under pressure to get back to work.

What qualifies for compassionate leave?

Employees are entitled to take compassionate leave if they have to deal with an unexpected incident or problem that involves a dependent of theirs. A dependent can be a member of family or someone who reasonably relies on them for care or support.

Do you get paid for compassionate leave UK?

Though the right to take time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependent is a statutory right protected by law, there is no requirement for your employer to pay you. As such, it is completely up to your employer whether they decide to pay you or not.

Is bereavement leave required by law UK?

Parental bereavement pay and leave are legally protected types of leave. Eligible employees whose child has died or was stillborn are entitled to take a maximum of 2 weeks of leave and receive £156.66 per week or 90% of their average weekly earnings.

How do I get time off work for a family emergency?

You are not required to have given notice to take time off work for a family emergency, since, by nature, you can’t have foreseen it. All you need to do is let your employer know as soon as possible that you’re taking time off for a dependent. You are not required to submit this in writing or provide any kind of evidence.

How many days compassionate leave are you entitled to in the UK?

There is no maximum entitlement for compassionate leave in the UK. You are allowed to take whatever time is reasonable to deal with the situation at hand. This also means that you can take time off work to deal with an emergency as many times as is necessary throughout the year, without having to think about a limit.

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