Carers Rights Day 2023

Under the Equality Act 2010, a person cannot be discriminated against if they are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, such as a disability. An employer cannot treat a carer less favourably than their colleagues at work due to their caring role. 

All employees have the right to request flexible working if they have work for the same employer for 26 weeks. A carer may request adjustments that help them to balance their work and caring role, such as being able to attend appointments during the day or take phone calls. 

It is important for carers to know what options are available to them at work as employees can only request flexible working once per year. Employers can support carers by helping them to understand the flexible working options available. It can also be helpful to refer to your Employee Assistance Programme if you have one. 

Employers must deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.This code of practice on flexible working from Acas can help. 

There are many different types of flexible working including:

• job sharing
• home working
• part-time
• compressed hours
• flexi-time
• annualised hours
• staggered hours
• phased retirement 

Employees have the right to take time off if a dependent has an emergency. This is covered by the Employment Rights Act 1996.
A dependent includes a child, partner, spouse, partner or anyone who depends on us for care. The law doesn’t outline a specific length of time. Employers are asked to provide a ‘reasonable amount of time off’.

This may be paid or unpaid depending on your employer's policies. We always encourage employers to take the most compassionate approach possible.