My employer will not give me time off for a bereavement
- 29.08.2026
I have been unwell and my manager has told me to use annual leave instead of sick leave, and warned that I might be dismissed if I take too many days off. How does sick leave work, and what protections do employees have?
Under the Holidays Act 2003, employees who have worked for the same employer for six months are entitled to ten days of paid sick leave per year, and unused days can carry over up to a set maximum. You can use it when you are sick or injured, or when a spouse, partner, or dependant is sick. An employer can ask for proof of sickness, such as a medical certificate, if you are absent for three or more consecutive days, or earlier if it is reasonable and the employer pays the cost of the certificate. Requiring you to use annual leave for sick days you are entitled to is not correct. Dismissal solely for taking legitimate sick leave could be unjustified, though prolonged incapacity can lead to a fair process about your ability to work.
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