Can I change my working arrangements if I have children?

If you care for children, you have the right to ask to work to a flexible working pattern. To be eligible for this you must:

• have a child aged 16 or under (or aged 18 if your child is disabled and receiving Disability Living Allowance);
• have worked with your employer continuously for 26 weeks at the time you ask for flexible working;
• apply no later than one day before your child’s 16th birthday (18th birthday if your child is disabled) although government guidance suggests that you should make the application as soon as possible;
• be responsible (or expect to be responsible) for bringing up your child;
• be applying for flexible working so that you can care for your child;
• be employed, rather than working as, say, a self-employed contractor; and
• have not made an application in the previous 12 months.

If you do change your working pattern, it will become a permanent change to your terms and conditions of employment (unless you and your employer agree that it will not). You will have no right to go back to your previous terms and conditions, even after your child turns 16 (or, if they are disabled, 18).

Related articles

1. Am I a worker?
2. What are my rights as a worker?
3. What are my rights as an employee?
4. Do I need a written contract of employment?
5. What is the least I should be paid?
6. How many hours can my employer make me work?
7. What should I do if I have a problem at work?
8. What if my employer has a problem with me?
9. What if I’ve been dismissed unfairly?
10. Bringing a claim for unfair dismissal
11. What if I’ve been made redundant?
12. Bringing a claim for wrongful dismissal
13. What if I've been discriminated against?
14. What are my rights if I work part-time?
15. What are my rights if I’m having a baby?
16. Can I take leave as a new father?
17. What are my rights if I'm adopting a child?
18. Can I change my working arrangements if I have children?
19. Can I change my working arrangements if I care for an adult?
20. Can I take time off if I am someone's carer?
21. Further help with employment law

This content is subject to Crown Copyright

Source:

Community Legal Advice

Tags:

Contact Solicitors Now

Let the advisors at Contact Law, a service of FindLaw, guide you through the process of hiring a qualified solicitor to meet your specific needs:

• 5,000 solicitors objectively screened
• Secure and private service
• Expertise for your needs
• Contact Law is a service of FindLaw UK

Call 0800 1777 167