Working Parents/Carers
New legislation introduced on 6th April 2003 gives working
parents of children under the age of five years, or under the age of
eighteen years if they are disabled, the right to apply to work
flexibly, and their employers have a duty to consider these requests
seriously. Working parents can request:
- a change to the number of hours worked
- a change to the times they are required to work
- to work at home
In order to be eligible to make these requests, parents must
have worked for 26 consecutive weeks for the same employer. Any change
will mean a permanent change to the terms and conditions of employment.
There is a right of appeal if parents are not happy with the resultant
decision. The definition of parents includes certain categories of
carers.
After one year’s service, all employees are entitled to 13
weeks unpaid leave to care for a child. If the child is disabled this
entitlement rises to a period of 18 weeks, and can be taken up until the
disabled child’s 18th birthday.
Further information on employment rights and legislation can
be obtained from the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service
(ACAS), or from the Jobcentre Plus in Bracknell (see entry in Transition section). There are free booklets available from Jobcentre Plus and
from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly Department of Trade and Industry) publications orderline
(see entry in Publications section).
There is also information on the Department for Business, Enterprise
and Regulatory Reform (formerly DTI) and ACAS websites:
www.berr.gov.uk or www.acas.org.uk
1 - 3 Berry Street
London
EC1V 0AA
Working families is a support and advice organisation for all
working parents, but has a specific project for parents who have a child
with a disability and who work or want to work, called Waving not
Drowning. They have a network, a newsletter and a helpline. In
addition they have produced a comprehensive guide for parents trying to
combine paid work with caring for a disabled child, called ‘Make It Work
For You’. The guide can be obtained by phoning or visiting the
website. Cost to families £5.50 (postage free).
There is also a free helpline for free legal advice on parents’ rights at work:
| Tel: |
0800 013 0313 Mon – Fri 10am–3pm, Mon 4.30-6.30pm, Tues 8.30–10am, Wed 4–6pm |
91 - 93 Great Eastern Street
London
EC2A 3HZ
This is a nationwide specialist recruitment agency, placing
nannies and child care workers with children who have special needs.
|
