Hello and welcome to this week’s employment law news from Reculver Solicitors.
Oh the weather outside is frightful:
It sometimes seems that as soon as the first snowflake falls, half the schools in the country take the opportunity close at a moments notice, leaving many working parents wondering what to do with their delighted children.
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (s57A) all employees are entitled to a reasonable amount of unpaid time off work to deal with emergencies involving a dependant and not to be dismissed or victimised for doing so. In the case of unexpected school closures, this statutory right is really only for enough time to put alternative child care arrangements in place, and will not generally be an excuse for the employee to remain at home for the rest of the week. ‘Reasonable’ time off will always depend on the particular circumstances. Some employers will agree to staff taking that time from their holiday entitlement, and some may exercise their discretion to pay it anyway, however the statutory entitlement is to unpaid leave only.
Competition: Thanks to all those who took part in our competition last week. A name has been drawn and one reader JP (you know who you are!) will be receiving a bottle of champagne later this week.
RECULVER SOLICITORS
Tel: 0207 324 6271 | Fax: 0207 477 2276 | info@reculversolicitors.co.uk
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority: Firm 405070 | Principal:
