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CHANGES TO FLEXIBLE
WORKING FROM 6th APRIL 2009
Anyone can ask their employer for flexible work arrangements, but
the law provides some employees with the statutory right to request a flexible
working pattern.
If you are an employee (but not an agency worker or in the armed
forces) and you have worked for your employer for 26 weeks continuously before
applying, you have the statutory right to ask if you:
·
have a child under six or a disabled child under 18 who receives
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
·
are responsible for the child as a parent/guardian/special
guardian/foster parent/private foster carer or as the holder of a residence
order
·
are the spouse, partner or civil partner of one of these and are
applying to care for the child
·
are a carer who cares, or expects to be caring, for an adult who
is a spouse, partner, civil partner or relative; or who although not related to
you, lives at the same address as you
Under the law your employer must seriously consider any
application you make, and only reject it if there are good business reasons for
doing so. You have the right to ask for flexible working - not the right to have
it.
Employees who do not have the legal right to request flexible
working are, of course, free to ask their employer if they can work
flexibly. Many employers are willing to consider such requests.
Changes from 6 April 2009
From 6 April 2009 the right to request flexible working is being
extended to parents of children aged 16 or under.
If you have a child aged 16 or under, you are an employee (but
not an agency worker or in the armed forces) and you have worked for your
employer for 26 weeks continuously before applying, you will have the statutory
right to ask for flexible working from 6 April 2009.
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