Work and Employment
Check if you can take time off work
Summary
You’re usually entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year. You can check if you’re entitled to holiday pay. You might be entitled to sick pay when you’re off sick or can’t work because of an injury. It depends on your employment status. You can check if you’re entitled to sick pay. You’re not usually entitled to take time off to go to the doctor, dentist or a hospital appointment - even if you’re injured in an accident at work. You should check your employment contract to see if it says you can have time off for these appointments and if you’ll get paid. If your contract doesn’t say you can have time off, you can still ask your employer for the time off. They don’t have to agree to it, so you might have to: * have these appointments outside work hours Your employer must make reasonable adjustments to let you have time off for medical appointments related to your disability or long-term health condition. If they don’t, it might be discrimination. You can check how to ask your employer for reasonable adjustments. If you’re expecting a baby, you or your partner might be entitled to: * time off to attend antenatal appointments If you’re a parent, you might also be able to.
Key information
- have these appointments outside work hours
- time off to attend antenatal appointments
- shared parental leave and pay
- your partner, husband, wife or civil partner
- someone who lives at your house, unless they’re your lodger or employee
- someone who relies on you, like a disabled neighbour
- someone gets sick or is injured
- care arrangements for a dependant suddenly break down
- you need to deal with an unexpected incident involving your child at their school
- an illness or injury that needs care for a minimum of 3 months
- an older person’s age related needs
- 3 days notice for half a day up to 1.5 days leave
Practical guidance
Related topics
More in this area
Sources
- Citizens Advice — Check if you can take time off work
This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.