Can you get time off work if your child’s school is closed?

Snow is in the air.

Folks are slipping their way to work, the gritters are out, and the blood flow to my feet has seized entirely.

To the delight of thousands of children across the country, the falling of snow has meant one thing and one thing only: the Christmas holiday's have continued.

But what about our Christmas holidays? What about we humble few who want to sit around watching television and eating junk like it's December 28th 2025 all over again.

The good news is that, in some cases, you may be entitled to take time off work if your child’s school is closed.

Under the Employment Rights Act, parents have the right to take time off for dependants when there is an “unexpected disruption or termination” to childcare arrangements. That includes school closures due to bad weather.

However, there’s a catch.

While employers must allow reasonable time off, they are not legally required to pay you for it. Whether you’re paid will depend on your employer’s own policies or your contract.

If your child’s school is closed, most local councils will list confirmed closures on their websites. It’s also worth notifying your employer as early as possible.

Fingers crossed the snow sticks around, at least long enough for an extra lie-in.