If you are in danger now
- Call 999. If you cannot speak, call 999 from a mobile, listen to the operator, cough or tap the phone if you can, and press 55 when you are asked to. This tells the police it is a real emergency.
- England: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) 0808 2000 247. Free, 24 hours a day.
- Wales: Live Fear Free 0808 80 10 800. Free, 24 hours a day.
- Scotland: Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline 0800 027 1234. Free, 24 hours a day.
- Men's Advice Line (for male victims): 0808 801 0327.
Who this guide is for
People working in England, Wales or Scotland who are experiencing domestic abuse and need time off, changes to their work, or support from their employer.
What this guide does not cover
⚖ At a glance
- Great Britain has no law giving you paid leave because of domestic abuse. Paid time off depends on your contract or your employer's policy, so check both and ask.
- Employees can ask for flexible working, such as different hours or a different place of work, from their first day in a job. It is a right to ask, not a right to get it.
- Employees can take a reasonable amount of time off to help a dependant with an unexpected problem or emergency. It is for a dependant, not for your own appointments.
- Acas says employers have a duty of care towards employees, including support around workplace adjustments.
- Northern Ireland's safe leave law does not apply in Great Britain.
The questions that decide the answer
- Are you in danger now? Yes: call 999 first.
- Where do you work? England, Wales or Scotland: this guide. Northern Ireland: its own guide.
- Are you an employee or a worker? The right to ask for flexible working and time off for dependants are for employees. Workers usually do not get them. If you are not sure, use the employee rights checker.
- What do you need the time for? Your own appointments (court, police, a solicitor, housing, a doctor): no legal right to time off, so ask your employer. An emergency involving a dependant: time off for dependants. Changes to your hours or where you work: a flexible working request.
- What does your contract or workplace policy say? It may give you domestic abuse leave, special leave or paid time off that the law does not.
"Can I get paid time off because of domestic abuse?"
Not as a legal right in Great Britain. Ask your employer: your contract or a workplace policy may give you paid or unpaid leave. You can also ask to use paid holiday.
The Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill is a private member's bill introduced in the House of Commons in January 2025. It is not law.
"I need to change my hours or where I work"
Employees can ask for flexible working from their first day in a job. That can include different hours or a different place of work. Your employer does not have to agree. For how to ask and what to do if you are refused, use the flexible working checker.
"Something has happened to my child or someone who depends on me"
Employees can take time off to help a dependant with an unexpected problem or emergency. A dependant can be your husband, wife, civil partner or partner, your child, your parent, someone who lives in your household (not a tenant, lodger or employee), or someone who relies on you. The law does not set how much time: it must be reasonable.
This right does not cover your own appointments or your own court hearing. For those, ask your employer.
"What should my employer do?"
Acas says employers have a duty of care towards employees, offering them the advice and support they need, including around workplace adjustments. It recommends employers have a domestic abuse policy. You can ask your employer what support it offers, for example changes to your hours, your place of work or your contact details.
"I've been dismissed or treated badly"
Use the employee rights checker. Most employment tribunal claims have a strict time limit, and you must notify Acas first.
Deadlines you must meet
- Most tribunal claims: 3 months less 1 day from the act you are complaining about, or 6 months less 1 day where that act (or the last act in a series) happened on or after 1 October 2026.
- Notify Acas within your time limit, so that the clock is paused.
- Your exact date depends on your facts: the tribunal deadline checker works it out.
Money figures
- This guide gives no money figures. Whether time off is paid depends on your contract or your employer's policy.
Where to go for help
Police: 999 in an emergency.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (England): 0808 2000 247. Live Fear Free (Wales): 0808 80 10 800. Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234. Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327.
Acas: 0300 123 1100 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), acas.org.uk. Free advice on employment rights, and early conciliation.
Your trade union can help if you have one.
Citizens Advice (England): 0800 144 8848
Citizens Advice (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Citizens Advice Scotland: 0800 028 1456
Traps
- Northern Ireland's safe leave law does not apply in Great Britain, and it is not in force in Northern Ireland either.
- Time off for dependants is for an emergency involving a dependant, not for your own court hearing or appointments.
- Flexible working is a right to ask. Your employer can refuse.
- Workers usually do not have the right to ask for flexible working or time off for dependants.
- A bill in Parliament is not the law.
📜 Sources (checked 24 September 2026)
- UK Parliament (bills.parliament.uk): Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill, private member's bill, first reading 7 January 2025, not an Act (updated April 2026).
- Acas: Time off to help someone else (time off for dependants); Acas response: Support in the workplace for victims of domestic abuse (duty of care, domestic abuse policy).
- Reused from the employee rights and menopause guides (checked 24 September 2026): flexible working from the first day, employee and worker rights, tribunal time limits and Acas.
- GOV.UK: Domestic abuse: how to get help (helplines); gov.wales: Contact Live Fear Free; Independent Office for Police Conduct: Silent Solution.
- Helplines checked on each organisation's own website on 24 September 2026.