Your rights at work
As we spend so much of our time at work, it's important that we know our employment rights. Your rights at work...
If you’re balancing your responsiblities at work with your responsiblities as a carer, it can be a lot to handle at once. But knowing your rights and the possible options available to you could help.
Your rights at work as a carer fall into two categories: 'statutory rights', which everyone has by law, and 'contractual rights', which come from your contract of employment. Below, we outline some of your statutory rights.
Since 6 April 2024, you have the right to request flexible working arrangements to help you fulfil your responsibilities. Flexible working arrangements could help you find a work pattern that suits your caring role and gives you more time to take care of yourself, too. Though your employer doesn't have to say yes, they need a sound business reason for saying no.
Your employer might suggest a trial of flexible working before making any arrangements permanent to see how it works for the organisation and for you.
Flexible working might involve:
Find out more about flexible working
You have the right to time off in an emergency when it involves someone who's dependent on you – for example, your partner, your parent, or your child. If someone else relies on you for help, they may also count as a dependant.
Examples of when you might need to use this right include:
Whether or not the time off is paid is up to your employer.
Find out more about your rights as a carer on the Carer's UK website
The Carer's Leave Act came into force on 6 April 2024. The Act means that employees are entitled to up to 1 week's unpaid leave per year to arrange or provide care for a dependant who needs long-term care.
Find out more about the Carer's Leave Act on the Acas website
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
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