Can I change to teleworking to help me care for my young children?

Under UK law you have a right to request flexible working if you:

• are a parent with a child under 17 or a disabled child under 18
• are responsible for the care of an adult, for example, someone who is elderly or sick.

Flexible working covers changes to methods of working and working hours, so could also include teleworking.

Employers have a legal duty to give serious consideration to such requests. However, it should be noted that teleworking is not guaranteed under the right and, depending on how others have been treated, an employer may legitimately refuse a request for flexible working.

See our flexible working for parents and carers and teleworking sections for more information.