Law firm Kingsley Napley has introduced a new enhanced time-off for dependents policy to provide a supportive workplace for its employees who are parents and carers.
The policy goes beyond statutory obligations under The Carers Leave Regulations 2024, which took effect last week. All UK employers must now offer employees one week of unpaid carers’ leave, regardless of length of service.
Through the firm’s enhanced scheme, its employees with parental or caring responsibilities are able to take five days of paid leave per calendar year to support dependents who have a physical or mental illness or injury, a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010), have care needs due to old age, or are under the age of 18.
This will be pro-rated for part-time staff. Under the policy, a dependent is regarded as a spouse, partner, child, parent, or someone who depends on an employee for care.
The policy details that the paid time-off will be granted to provide unplanned care or arrange long-term care for a dependent or if unforeseen issues arise, such as an accident, an illness or if normal care arrangements break down. The leave is not for childcare in school holidays or after-school, or to spend social time with family.
Kingsley Napley stated that this is intended as an allowance to provide breathing space during unexpected situations and gives parents and carers the knowledge that they have paid leave to deal with any emergencies.
Vicki Godfrey, head of people and culture at Kingsley Napley, said: “We recognise many members of the firm are balancing work and carer responsibilities, whether for children, older parents or other dependents, and that there may be times when these responsibilities need to take precedence over regular work obligations.
“Rather than offer the statutory position in these circumstances, we have launched a more generous scheme to support our people in their hour of need. As an employer, we always try to be at the forefront of progressive HR policies and this is no exception.”