Juggling work and caring: your rights and support

Employees who care for someone can ask for flexible working from their first day, take up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave in any 12 months, and take reasonable time off in an emergency. Carers UK reports that Census 2021 found 2.8 million people across the UK juggling work and care. Carer’s Allowance of £86.45 a week is available if earnings stay at £204 a week or less.

At a glance

• Unpaid carer’s leave is up to one week in any 12 months, available from the first day of a job in England, Scotland and Wales.
• Flexible working can be requested from day one, and employers must decide within two months unless a longer time is agreed.
• Time off for an emergency involving a dependant is a legal right, with no set limit on how often.
• Carer’s Allowance is £86.45 a week, with earnings capped at £204 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
• Carer’s Credit can protect State Pension entitlement if you care for 20 hours or more a week.

What rights do working carers have?

Four separate protections can apply, and each works differently. Employees can use all of them. The GOV.UK pages describe them as rights for employees, so self-employed people and agency workers should check their position before relying on them.

How does unpaid carer’s leave work?

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 came into force on 6 April 2024. An employee is entitled to leave to give or arrange care for a dependant who has an illness or injury expected to need care for more than three months, a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010, or care needs because of old age. The dependant does not have to be a relative.

• Length: up to one week in any 12 months, where a week is the time you normally work over seven days. It can be taken as a whole week, or as single days or half days.
• Notice: at least three days for a half or one day, or twice the length of leave for longer periods. The request does not need to be in writing, and no evidence of the care needs is required.
• Employer response: the employer cannot refuse, but can ask you to take it at another time if your absence would cause serious disruption, and must agree a new date within one month of the date you originally asked for, and explain the delay in writing within seven days of your request.
• Where it applies: England, Scotland and Wales. Check separate guidance if you work in Northern Ireland.

Read our guide to carer’s leave for more.

What about emergencies and flexible working?

Employees are allowed a reasonable amount of time off for an emergency involving a dependant. That includes a mental or physical illness, a carer who fails to turn up, or a nursing home closing unexpectedly, and you can also take time to arrange longer-term care. There is no limit on how many times you can use it, and the employer must not treat you unfairly for doing so.

A flexible working request can be made from day one. The request goes to the employer in writing, and employees can make two applications in any 12-month period. The employer must consider it reasonably and decide within two months, or longer if you agree. An employer can only refuse for one of the reasons set out in law, such as extra costs that would damage the business, and must discuss the request first. Flexible working rules are different in Northern Ireland.

Is there protection from unfair treatment?

Carers UK explains that people looking after someone older or disabled in England, Scotland or Wales are protected under the Equality Act 2010 against direct discrimination and harassment because of their caring responsibilities. The law calls this discrimination by association. If you believe you have been treated unfairly, speak to a union representative or Acas, and keep a note of what happened and when.

How do earnings affect Carer’s Allowance and credits?

You can work and claim Carer’s Allowance, but your earnings must be £204 a week or less after tax, National Insurance and expenses. Expenses can include 50% of pension contributions, travel between workplaces, and equipment you need for the job. If you pay someone other than a partner or close relative to care for the person or your children while you work, care costs up to 50% of your earnings can also be deducted. You must also provide 35 hours of care a week. Details are in our Carer’s Allowance guide and earnings limit article.

If you do not qualify, Carer’s Credit gives National Insurance credits for those caring 20 hours or more a week who are under State Pension age, whatever their income. See Carer’s Credit. Carers on Universal Credit may also get the carer element of £209.34 a month: carer element guide.

What practical steps help?

• Talk to your employer early. Say what you need and for how long, and check the staff handbook for compassionate or paid carer’s leave.
• Put the flexible working request in writing, and mention that it is a statutory request.
• Get a carer’s assessment. It is free for anyone over 18, and it can recommend breaks and practical help. See the carer’s assessment.
• Arrange cover. Home care, day centres or short stays reduce pressure. Try day centres for the elderly or respite care.
• Check the financial impact of cutting hours or leaving work before deciding. See getting paid to care for a family member.

Frequently asked questions

Is carer’s leave paid?

No. The statutory leave is unpaid. Some employers offer paid carer’s leave or compassionate leave as a policy, so check your contract, handbook or intranet, and ask HR what is available.

Can my employer refuse carer’s leave?

No, but they can ask you to take it at a different time if your absence would cause serious disruption. They must agree a new date within one month and put the reason in writing within seven days.

How many working carers are there?

Carers UK says Census 2021 found 2.8 million people across the UK juggling work and care, and believes the true figure is higher. It is an estimate by a charity, so treat the higher figure with caution.

Can I claim Carer’s Allowance and work full-time?

Only if your earnings after tax, National Insurance and allowable expenses are £204 a week or less, and you still care for 35 hours a week. The limit applies to weekly earnings after deductions, so check your own figures before claiming.

Can I take time off when a care worker fails to arrive?

Yes. GOV.UK lists a carer failing to turn up, or a nursing home closing unexpectedly, as emergencies where you can take reasonable time off, including to arrange longer-term care.

Where to get help next

For a wider overview, read being a carer for a family member and sandwich carers. If caring is becoming unsustainable, the funding checker can show what help with care costs may be available, and find care lists local options.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Unpaid carer’s leave
• GOV.UK: Flexible working
• GOV.UK: Time off for family and dependants
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance eligibility
• Carers UK: Juggling work and unpaid care

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.