Negotiating time off for dependants

Many unions have negotiated a right to paid time off with the employers for various family circumstances and on compassionate grounds. This may be under a policy on dependency leave, family leave, compassionate leave or special leave. It can also sometimes include bereavement, although this is often a separate entitlement.

The definition of dependants should be based on responsibility for the person, rather than a narrow definition of family members, and so should include adoptive, fostered and step-children as well as birth children. The policy should also make it clear that same-sex partners and extended family members are covered, where the employee has significant responsibility for them. It is also important that workers who have caring responsibilities for elderly or disabled relatives are covered by the provision, given the increasing number of workers with such responsibilities.

The Sainsbury’s policy allowing time off for dependants says there may be times when an employee is paid for time off but this is at the manager’s discretion.