What should you do if an employee needs time off work to look after someone?.

Employees are entitled to unpaid time off work to help someone who depends on them. For example;

  • if they have children that need to be looked after because their school has closed; or
  • they need to stay at home to help their child or another dependent if they’re sick or need to go into isolation or hospital.

There’s no statutory right to receive payment for this time off, but you should refer to your policy as some employers have offered to pay staff in such cases.