All employees have a right to take a reasonable period of time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, (e.g. a child, spouse, parent etc). This is in addition to the employee's normal holiday entitlement.
There is no set limit on the amount of time which can be taken, but it should be a reasonable period to allow the employee to deal with the emergency.
The right does not include a right to pay during time off and this is left to the discretion of the employer.
Any employee who has been denied time off to care for dependants or time off for ante-natal classes and appointments may complain to an Employment Tribunal.
