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Carers UK provides more information on how carers can access flexible working.

Carers UK website

Under the new regulations, employees are entitled to request flexible working arrangements from the first day of their employment, rather than after 26 weeks. This includes requests for part-time or term-time working, flexitime, compressed hours, and varied working locations. Employees can also make two statutory requests for flexible working in any 12-month period.  

Employers need to be aware that, under the new rules, they must explain the reasons behind any decision to decline a request. Employers are also now obliged to respond to flexible working requests within two months.   

Flexible working  

Flexible working patterns could include:  

  • Flexible starting and finishing hours
  • Compressed working hours
  • Annualised working hours (hours are calculated over a year, and you work some fixed shifts but have flexibility over some of your hours)
  • Term-time working
  • Job sharing and part-time working
  • Working from home or elsewhere 

The request for flexible working should be made in writing (your employer may have a standard form) and include:  

  • The date of application
  • An outline of the working pattern you would like
  • The date you would like to start the proposed change
  • Details of any previous requests 
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