Recent legislation has made it much easier for carers who wish to combine their caring responsibilities with a career to do so.
The Social Care and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 puts an emphasis on a carer’s well-being and individual wishes – this includes being able to stay in work or return to work.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against you because you have caring duties.
Flexible working
The changes to working patterns during the COVID pandemic means many employers now recognise the benefits of offering flexible working to their employees. Working from home several days a week – so-called ‘hybrid working’ – is now common for those who are able to do so.
Clearly not everybody can work from home; however, this does not mean you do not have the right to request more flexible working hours and/or conditions.
Whether you are caring for children, elderly parents or other dependents, you have certain employment rights, including the right to ask for flexible working hours if you have worked for your employer for more than 26 weeks.
The law states that you can only make a request once a year so it’s important to prepare a strong case and give as much information as possible. Your request can cover your hours of work, the times you work or even your place of work.
Depending on your job and employer, it might be possible for you to:
- sometimes work from home
- reduce your hours, or perhaps job share
- work term-time only (if you are caring for a disabled child)
- occasionally or permanently swop hours or shifts with a colleague
- work longer hours over fewer days
- change jobs so your hours better suit your caring responsibilities
Your employer must respond within three months.
N.B. Some employers, for example, the armed forces, are exempt from this legislation (although flexible working arrangements are often in place).
If your request is turned down
Your employer must have good business reasons to turn down your request, for example, a small employer might not need people to work during the hours you suggested.
Tell your employer if you wish to appeal. If you cannot reach agreement, contact ACAS for advice.
Tell your employer you are a carer
Even if you don’t plan to ask for flexible working, it’s a good idea to tell your employer that you have caring responsibilities so that they will understand if you suddenly need to leave work or have time off without prior warning.
Time off for dependants
You have the right to take time off to deal with emergencies and unforeseen matters, for example, if the usual care arrangements break down. You will not usually be paid for this.
Larger employers may provide more than the basic rights and may even have a carers’ policy. Ask your HR department.
More information
For more information about flexible working visit gov.uk and Carers UK