Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The proposal would give employees a legal right to paid time off for health screening, including cervical, breast and colon cancer checks, and other screenings recommended by a doctor based on a person’s age, gender and health. It would also protect workers who take this leave by making sure it does not count against certain working-time limits, counts towards service for redundancy, and cannot be used as a reason for unfair dismissal. It matters because it would make it easier for people to attend screening appointments without losing pay or risking their job.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for a period of paid leave in order to enable employees to participate in health screening programmes; for that purpose to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997; to extend the protection against unfair dismissals conferred by the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2015; to provide for the consequential amendment of certain other Acts; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 30 July 2026