Kingsley Napley LLP announces new ‘Time-off for Dependents’ policy

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City law firm Kingsley Napley LLP has announced a new enhanced ‘Time-off for Dependents’ policy, which surpasses the UK’s statutory obligations.

Currently, UK-based employees are entitled to one week’s unpaid carers leave under The Carers Leave Regulations, which has been effective since 6 April 2024.

However, Kingsley Napley’s  enhanced scheme gives all firm members with parental and/or caring respondents five days’ paid leave each calendar year to support dependants who:

• have a physical or mental illness or injury;
• have a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010);
• have care needs because of their old age; or
• are under the age of 18.

The firm intends for employees to use the leave to provide unplanned care, allowing staff to have some breathing space for emergencies. Partner and co-chair of the KN Families Network, ‌Richard Clayman, explained: “This policy gives parents and carers the comfort of knowing they can meet life’s emergencies with a period of paid leave. It’s the latest example of Kingsley Napley showing it understands life’s difficult realities and wants to support people in their personal lives as well as their work.”

However, the leave is only for unplanned emergencies and can’t be used to cover childcare in school holidays or to spend social time with family.

Previously, Kingsley Napley was the first law firm to introduce the Menopause Workplace Pledge. It also offers leave for fertility treatment, pregnancy loss and adoption, as well as support for anyone suffering domestic abuse.  

Vicki Godfrey, head of people and culture at Kingsley Napley, said: “We recognise many members of the firm are balancing work and carer responsibilities, whether for children, older parents or other dependents, and that there may be times when these responsibilities need to take precedence over regular work obligations. Rather than offer the statutory position in these circumstances, we have launched a more generous scheme to support our people in their hour of need. As an employer we always try to be at the forefront of progressive HR policies and this is no exception.”