BUSINESSES will be “hidden” victims of the public-sector strikes planned this month as schools close and staff who are parents ask to stay at home to care for their children, a York employment lawyer has warned.

Bosses need to be aware of the legal rights of their staff to take time off to care for their children, which has been strengthened by recent case law, said Emma Atkins an employment lawyer at York-based Denison Till. She said: “The right to unpaid time off to care for dependants is designed to help staff cope with short-term unplanned events, such as school closures. With the first strikes being planned for June 30, managers with workforces dominated by parents or carers should discuss with staff now whether they foresee childcare problems.”

But Ms Atkins said even if companies draw their employees’ attention to the possibility of school closures, so they can make alternative arrangements, they will still legally be entitled to take unpaid time off if they are unable to do so.