I've got a young family and would like to change my work patterns. What are my rights?

Parents of children under 6, or disabled children under 18, have a right to have their employer consider their request to work flexibly.

As well as the new right to have your request for flexible working considered, if you need to change your work pattern you may also have stronger rights, particularly under sex discrimination law. It is very important to bear this in mind if you are planning to make a request for flexible working, so make sure you get advice from your union representative first, if you have one.

Your employer may offer better rights on flexible working and you need to check your contract of employment, your staff handbook, or perhaps a special leaflet that the personnel department may provide in larger organisations to find out your entitlement with your current employer.

Improving benefits and entitlements on flexible working is a priority for unions, so if you work for an organisation that recognises unions you are very likely to have access to more generous flexible working rights.

Any additional rights to flexible working will normally be included in your contract of employment. If this is the case, your employer is legally bound to honour them because they have been promised to you. If you have a dispute over your terms and conditions on flexible working, then you should seek advice from your union representative, if you have one.