Can you take the day off work if your child's school is closed?

With heavy snow battering the UK, disruptions to public services have been a common sight over the past couple of days.

One dreadful result of this for parents is that schools may close due to the extreme weather. For working parents, this can create a difficult situation as you may have to take time off work in order to look after your kids.

However, you may be concerned as to whether you have any protections or rights in the workplace in this unique and stressful situation. This is compounded by the fact that even if a school isn't closed, snow and icy conditions can make journeys to school dangerous or even impossible in some areas.

Read more: Full list of schools shut across Greater Manchester as heavy snow hits region

Here's everything you need to know about your rights as a working parent if your child's school is closed due to snowy weather...

If your child's school closes in an emergency, such as severe weather conditions, you are protected under the law if you need to take the day off work. However, there is no minimum or maximum time you can have off to take emergency leave care, and is simply extended to what is considered 'reasonable' in the circumstances.

While you have the right to unpaid leave in this situation, it's worth checking with your employer if they have any workplace policies on taking emergency leave. You may find that your employer allows a certain amount of paid leave depending on the circumstances.

Your employer may also suggest that you take the day off a holiday, or that you work from home but this is up to your employer's discretion and should be something they discuss with you.

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