Why not request flexible working (from http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/workandlearning/work/Pages/Flexibleworking.aspx)
Flexible workingIt’s your decision whether you tell your employer that you’re a carer. But it’s worth knowing that you have a statutory right to request flexible working hours if you’ve worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks and are a parent of a child under 16, or a disabled child under 18, or if you’re caring for an adult dependant who is a relative or lives at the same address as you.
There are many advantages to flexible working, such as gaining a better work-life balance while still being able to earn a living. Continuing to work while caring will also give you the chance to have social interaction outside of your caring role.
Flexible working doesn’t necessarily mean doing part-time hours. You may be able to work the same number of hours but at times that suit you, for example, weekends or evenings. Or you could opt for compressed hours or home working.
Bear in mind that although you may be legally entitled to apply for flexible working, your employer will need to assess whether there’s a business case for such flexibility. You may need to help convince them that there is.
Before you apply for flexible working
Before you speak to your employer, it’s advisable to find out about their policy for supporting carers. You could do this by checking your staff handbook, intranet or speaking to your manager or Human Resources (HR) department.
Making changes to how you work can do a lot to make your life manageable. The Work and Families Act 2006 and the Employment Rights Act 1996 give employed carers rights that can make life easier.
Who can apply?
Thanks to these two laws, carers in employment have the right to apply for flexible working and leave entitlement. It’s important to know whether or not you qualify before you go to the trouble of applying. You have the right to apply for flexible working if you’ve worked for your employer for 26 weeks continuously on the day that you make the application.
You also have to be either:
- a parent of a child aged 16 and under, or under 18 if they claim Disability Living Allowance
- a carer - this means you must be (or expect that you will be) caring for a husband or wife or a live-in partner, civil partner or relative, or live in the same home as an adult who needs a carer.
Flexible working
Flexible working can cover a wide range of possibilities, which means that you can plan a way of working that suits you. It may be that starting and finishing work at different times, only working during term times, part-time working or job sharing would be most helpful. You could also think about compressed working hours. For example, you work the equivalent of five days’ hours over four days, giving you an extra day free.
It should state in your T & C’s of employment what your rights are in respect of time off for dependants:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/employees/timeoffandholidays/dg_10026555