I’m currently caring for a relative/friend, do I have any rights to work flexibly?

From April 6th 2007 people who act as unpaid carers to friends or family will have the right to make a request to their employer to work flexibly.

The person you are caring for should be your husband or wife, your civil partner, partner, someone living at the same address as you or a relative. In this case, a ‘relative’ is defined as one of the following: mother, father, adopter, guardian, special guardian, parent in law, step parent, son, step son, daughter, step daughter, brother, step brother, brother in law, sister, step sister, sister in law, uncle, aunt or grandparent and it includes adoptive relationships as well as half blood and full blood relationships.

In order to qualify for this right, you should have worked for your current employer continuously for 26 weeks by the date that you make your application. You can only make one application in twelve months and this right does not apply to agency workers.