Nursery World - Ask the expert

Your legal questions answered by Christine Betts,senior lawyer, schools and childcare team, Veale Wasbrough Lawyers Q I have read something in the news about employees being able to ask for time off to care for dependants. How does this work?

Q I have read something in the news about employees being able to ask for time off to care for dependants. How does this work?

A From this month, the right to request flexible working, which currently applies to parents with children under the age of six (or disabled children under 18), will be extended to employees who care for certain adults.

To be eligible to make a request, employees must have been employed for 26 weeks at the date of the application and must be the carer of a relative or an adult living at the same address who is in need of care. Eligible employees can ask to alter their times and place of work, which could involve working at home. While the law does not give employees a right to work flexibly, there is a duty on employers to consider requests seriously.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included