‘What are my rights at work?’

Three million people in the UK juggle work with looking after someone. It can be challenging for carers to hold down a job but you do have rights if you continue to work. The law gives carers statutory rights but it’s essential you check your contract of employment as your employer may offer more generous terms which you can take advantage of. Ask your HR department what your company policy is. The law in England, Wales and Scotland protects people from discrimination if they are looking after someone who is elderly or disabled.

If you want flexible working hours, put your request in writing stating:

That you want to request flexible working What working conditions you would like to change When you would like the change to be made What effect this would have for the employer and how this could be dealt with. Your employer must then hold a meeting to discuss your request to consider the pros and cons. Your application can only be refused if there is a good business reason for the refusal. You would then have the right to appeal. The matter should be settled within three months.

Your rights

Flexible working can be requested after you have worked for the same employer for 26 weeks. It could include homeworking, part-time work, term-time work, working compressed or staggered hours, job sharing, shift working or working a certain number of hours over a year. You can also take a reasonable amount of time off work to deal with an emergency or an unforeseen event that involves a partner, child, parent or someone living as part of your family.

What constitutes an emergency?

Problems with care arrangements Death of a dependant An accident involving someone you care for

A change in the law…

As of 2011, no-one can be forced to retire on the grounds of age alone. Many people, not only carers, use flexible working as a means of cutting their working hours before they give up work completely. call the carers UK adviceline on 0808 808 7777, or download a fact sheet, your rights in work, from the carers UK website at www.carersuk.org