Since 6th April 2003 parents and certain others who are responsible for looking after children aged under 6 (or under 18 if the child is disabled) have had the legal right to ensure that requests they make for flexible working arrangements are taken seriously by their employers. Typically flexible working arrangements include part-time working or working from home.

Earlier this year (6th April 2007), the right was extended to employees with responsibility for caring for (i) spouses/partners (ii) adult relatives and (iii) adults living at the same address as the employee.

As from 1st October 2007 the right is further extended so that private foster carers (and their spouses and partners) are added to the list of people who are entitled to request a contract variation to care for a child. A person in whose favour a residence order is in force in respect of a child (and their spouses and partners) has also been added to the list.

The October 2007 changes are set out in the Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2007, SI 2007/2286

For further information contact Chris Wiper at chris.wiper@close-thornton.co.uk or call him on 01325 466461

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