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Employment rights for carers

Carers who work have specific legal rights, including unpaid carer's leave and the right to request flexible working.

Last reviewed
1 June 2026
Next review due
1 December 2026

Balancing paid work with caring is one of the most common practical challenges carers face. UK law gives some specific rights, alongside general protections against unfair treatment.

Carer's Leave Act 2023

  • Employees have a right to take up to one week (5 working days, pro-rata for part-time workers) of unpaid carer's leave per year, from their first day in a job.
  • This leave can be used to arrange or provide care for a dependant with a long-term care need, and can be taken flexibly, including as half or full days.
  • You do not usually need to provide evidence to your employer, but you should give the required notice.

Flexible working requests

All employees have a statutory right to request flexible working from day one of employment, though employers can refuse for specified business reasons.

  • Requests can cover hours, times of work, or working from home or another location.
  • Employers must consider requests reasonably and respond within a set timeframe.
  • Some employers have carer-friendly policies that go beyond the legal minimum, such as paid carer's leave.

Other protections

  • Treating an employee unfairly because of their association with a disabled person, such as caring for a disabled child, can amount to discrimination by association under the Equality Act 2010.
  • Employees have general rights to reasonable time off for emergencies involving a dependant, separate from carer's leave.

Checklist

  • Check your contract and staff handbook for any carer-specific policies beyond the legal minimum.
  • Understand the difference between emergency time off for dependants and planned carer's leave.
  • Give the correct notice period when requesting carer's leave.
  • Consider whether a flexible working request would help, and put it in writing.
  • Ask your employer or HR about any Employee Assistance Programme that could support you.
  • Get advice from Acas or your union if you feel you have been treated unfairly because of caring responsibilities.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming carer's leave is paid; it is unpaid unless your employer chooses to pay it.
  • Not putting flexible working requests in writing, which can make them harder to track or appeal.
  • Waiting until a crisis to raise caring responsibilities with an employer.
  • Not checking whether discrimination by association could apply if treatment is linked to caring for a disabled family member.

Organisations that can help