1. Right to request flexible working.
If you have been in continuous employment for 26 weeks or more and you live with the person you are caring for you can request flexible working. This may not apply if you are self employed or on a temporary contract or are employed by an agency.
Flexi time. Changing the start or finish time at work while still working the same amount of hours.
Compressed hours. For example working the same number of hours per week over four days rather than five.
Term time working Arranging to work only during the school term.
Job Share Two people share a job or role.
Part time working This may allow you to fit in all the tasks you need to do as a carer.
Shift swap Sometime is it possible to negotiate with your employer and a work colleague an arrangement to swap shifts either temporarily or permanently if you can get their agreement.
Annualised hours. An agreed number of hours of work over a year. This can be useful if the person you care for has a condition which has variable course. Some weeks they may cope while you are at work but if they have a relapse you can adjust your hours accordingly.
Home working This could be part time or online if your employer has facilities to allow this.
Tele working This may become more common as technology advances and companies can reduce office overheads by using tele working.
Other requests you could make in relation to work could include asking for a car parking space close to your work so that you can shorten your journey time by using your car and you can leave quickly if you have to be at home by a certain time or in an emergency.
You could also ask for access to use a telephone during working hours so you can call the person you care for during the day without having to leave work to check how they are.
Before you request flexible working try to work out which option would be best for you and would cause least disruption at your workplace.