Breakthrough For Britain's Army Of Carers

28-10-2005

The Government's plans to extend the right to request flexible working to carers is a massive breakthrough for thousands of UK workers who care for sick and disabled relatives.

The right to request flexible working will be extended to carers in 2007, and it will allow some of Britain's most successful companies to retain valued staff who need some flexibility in their working lives.

Just under two thirds of workers identifying themselves as carers of an adult said that because of their caring role they have wanted to ask for changes to their working hours, but either felt unable to do so or felt that their request had not been seriously considered. From 2007 this will change.

Many trade unions have also committed to continued talking with Ministers to make sure workers are treated fairly on bank holidays when many of them have to work.

Bank holidays will now not be counted as part of the 20 days statutory annual leave, and provisions are now in place to press the Government to make sure that staff who are required to work on bank holidays, should have the right to a paid day off in lieu.

The ability to keep track of flexible working hours by individual employees can often pose a problem when accurately calculating total number of hours worked and corresponding annual leave accrued. Time and attendance systems are available to complete this task automatically, and are highly recommended by companies who participate in flexible working hours schemes.

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