Claim your free advice call
Find the safest and easiest way to resolve your workplace issue
Home
Resources
Leave and Absence
- Emergency Leave
Emergency Leave
- Leave and Absence
Peninsula Group, HR and Health & Safety Experts
(Last updated )
Peninsula Group, HR and Health & Safety Experts
(Last updated )
Emergency leave advice guide for employers from Peninsula Business Services UK. Employers call us today on 0800 0282 420.
When an employee’s absence from work is not planned because of serious external causes (other than the employee’s own sickness or injury), it will come under the heading “emergency leave”.
It’s a tricky subject to define because one person’s emergency is another person’s minor inconvenience. As a rule, all leave that is not covered by such specific laws and contractual obligations as parental leave, sickness and annual leave is emergency leave.
Typically, serious reasons will include the death, serious injury, illness or trauma of a close relative. Absence caused by such occurrence is often called “compassionate leave” or “sympathy leave”.
Other causes of emergency leave are less serious, for example being unable to travel because of a broken down car, children’s schools being unexpectedly closed or child-minders not turning up.
Ultimately, it is up to the employer to decide whether to pay for all emergency leave. Some will request that the days lost are treated as holidays. Many employers do continue payments if the cause is serious, at least for a reasonable amount of time.
It helps to maintain morale, and also it is questionable how productive members of staff would be when their minds are elsewhere. The key is sensitively maintaining channels of communication between the employee and the employer.
Peninsula Business Services can provide advice and assistance on any aspect of emergency leave. Contact us today - call 0800 0282 420, or use our callback form to arrange for us to get in touch at a time that is convenient for you.
Try Brainbox for free today
When AI meets 40 years of Peninsula expertise... you get instant, expert answers to your HR and health & safety questions
Home
Resources
Leave and Absence
- Emergency Leave
FAQs
Got a question? Check whether we’ve already answered it for you…
Related articles
![4 day working week]()
Guide
What is a Four-Day Work Week?
A four-day work week is the period where employees complete their job duties in four days, rather than the traditional five.
Peninsula TeamPeninsula Team- Working Time
![Implementing a 4 day work week]()
Guide
How to Implement a Four-Day Work Week
The first step employers should take is thinking about whether a four-day work week is suitable for their specific business.
Peninsula GroupHR and Health & Safety Experts- Working Time
![a man in a garden]()
Guide
Understanding the Concept of Garden Leave
In this guide, we'll discuss what garden leave is, employee rights during this type of leave, and the benefits it can bring.
Peninsula TeamPeninsula Team- Leave and Absence
Try Brainbox for free today
When AI meets 40 years of Peninsula expertise... you get instant, expert answers to your HR and Health & Safety questions