DTI settles on definition of 'carer' for flexible working
The Department of Trade and Industry has announced who will qualify as a 'carer' under the new right for carers to request flexible working coming into force on 6 April 2007.
From this date, carers of adults will have similar rights to parents of young children, who have been able to make requests for flexible working since 6 April 2003. The DTI says that the new legislation, which is being introduced under the Work and Families Act 2006, will define a 'carer' as an individual who is, or expects to be, caring for an adult who:
is married to, or is the partner or civil partner of the employee;
is a near relative of the employee; or
falls into neither category but lives at the same address as the employee.
A 'near relative' will include a parent, parent-in-law, adult child, adopted adult child, sibling (including an in-law), uncle, aunt, grandparent and step-relative.
Employment Relations Minister Jim Fitzpatrick estimates that the definition will cover 80% of carers.
Carers to benefit from right to request flexible working Read the announcement on the Government News Network website.
Also
Work: our flexible friend IRS Employment Review hears from employers about flexible working arrangements that are in place within their organisations and finds that, although employers are open to requests, they are not keen to fund changes.
Why you should care for the carers Employees who balance paid work with a caring role at home present a special challenge to employers, as the caring role is not predictable in the same way as mainstream childcare. Equal Opportunities Review surveys its readers and reports on good practice.
Right to request flexible working: the basics HR & Compliance Centre's employment law reference manual has guidance on the current laws relating to the right to request flexible working.
