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Requesting flexible working
From April 2007, the Work and Families Act 2006 gave certain carers the right to request flexible working such as changing hours or working from home. This act extended the right – which came into force in April 2003 – of parents of children under six, or 18 if the child is disabled, to ask for flexible working. Employees who have worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks can apply to make a permanent change to their terms and conditions. Only one request is allowed in a year. Employers can refuse a request, but must give good reasons. Employees can appeal.
Parents of disabled children have had the right to request flexible working for the past three years. Research shows that four in five requests are granted. The right to request flexible working could make the difference between a carer quitting or remaining at work. Currently, 2.65 million carers could take advantage of this new right, but millions more will benefit in the years ahead.
The act defines a carer as someone who cares for, or expects to care for, a husband, wife or partner, a relative such as a child, uncle, sister, parent-in-law, son-in-law or grandparent, or someone who falls into neither category but lives at the same address as the carer. People who care, say, for an elderly neighbour, fall outside the remit of the act. Evidence shows that most employers are open to requests from those not eligible under the new law.
A right to time off
Under the Employment Relations Act 1999, employees gained the right to “reasonable time off” to deal with any unexpected situations that arise in relation to their caring or parental roles. At the discretion of the employer, time off can be paid.
