Many parents and other people combine work with caring for dependants.  They have specific rights protected by law.

• The right to take unpaid parental leave;

• The right to take time off to care for dependants in an emergency;

• The right to attend antenatal classes;

• The right to take maternity leave and additional maternity leave and receive maternity pay and to return to the same job;

• The right to take adoption leave and adoption pay;

• The right to request flexible working hours.

If an employer breaches these rights, it could lead to an action for unfair dismissal, and/or discrimination and/or compensation