After receiving Royal Assent on May 24, 2023, the Carer's Leave Act of 2023 is slated to become effective on April 6, 2024, as indicated by the draft statutory instrument.
This legislation introduces a statutory leave entitlement, offering employees who care for a dependent with long-term care needs up to one week of unpaid carer's leave annually. This leave can be taken in increments ranging from half a day to a full week.
Importantly, this statutory entitlement becomes available to employees from their first day of employment, and no documentation or explanation of leave usage is required.
This initiative is designed to empower caregivers to better manage their caregiving responsibilities alongside their work commitments, facilitating their continued participation in the workforce.
The government anticipates that this new law, upon implementation, will contribute to higher workforce participation and enhanced protection for vulnerable workers.
For a comprehensive understanding of The Carer's Leave Regulations 2024, you can access the complete draft statutory instruments here.