Using holoday when caring for someone diagnosed with cancer

[johny7days]

Hi all,

I would like to raise a concern in regard to my personal situation. My close family member has been diagnosed with cancer last year and I am the only person who can care for him. I am fully employed on a permanent contract. Now my question is - do I need to use my personal holiday allowance to take time off from work (for a full day or a couple of hours) so I could assist my family member to attend hospital meetings, etc?

I do not think that is fair. I should be allowed to have paid time off to care for such a person but I have been denied that and the company has told me that I need to use my holiday to get paid and cover for any time off.

I need some advice, please.

Many thanks up front.

[echat11]

Firstly, review the T & C's of your employment contract. It should cover how leave can be taken. You could also consider writing to HR explaining the situation, that your 'close family member' relies on you to do certain things.

[ULA]

Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a 'dependant') in an unexpected event or emergency. 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.

However there is no statutory right to pay for this time off but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or contained within a caring for dependents policy. So follow the advice given by echat11 and go and check whether anything is contained in such documents.

I suggest that you do speak to HR, explain the situation. If you provide them details of the likely time needed, frequency etc and see if you can come to some arrangement. Even if you cannot get paid time off, can you maybe work extra hours to cover the time off so that you do not use up holiday entitlement, or could you do a half/half arrangement?