It is an understatement to say that much has changed in the employment space over the past 18 months. We have seen significant changes in employment legislation in response to the pandemic (most notably the furlough scheme, which recently concluded on 30 September 2021). The pandemic forced flexible working on many employers and employees, with many businesses adopting an increased flexible approach to balancing work and home life in the long-term. Employers also responded to the unique challenges faced by carers during lockdown by putting in place more mechanisms to support working carers. We are now seeing how these experiences will shape legislation in the long-term.
The UK Government has now confirmed that employees with caring responsibilities will be given a new entitlement to one week’s unpaid leave per year. Public consultation has also opened on potential changes to the statutory right to request flexible working regime. This month’s alert is a brief roundup of these recent developments.
CARERS TO GAIN THE RIGHT OF ONE WEEK OF UNPAID LEAVE
In a consultation response published last month, the UK Government has confirmed its intention to introduce a new statutory right for employees with unpaid caring responsibilities to take up to one week of unpaid leave per year (five working days). This right will apply in England, Wales and Scotland.
This follows a public consultation undertaken last year when the pandemic shone a spotlight on the challenge of juggling caring...
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