Flexible working for parents and carers of disabled children

The right to request flexible working for parents and carers of disabled children are the same as parents of non-disabled children. An employee has the right to make a request to work flexibly. The employer has two months to respond (although this can be extended by agreement). If the employer turns down the request, it must be for one of the permitted business reasons.

See here for more information on making a flexible working request.

It is worth mentioning in your request the reason why you are requesting flexible working if it relates to your disabled child. The Equality Act protects people from disability discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. This includes discrimination by association, such as treating a parent or carer less favourably – for instance refusing their flexible working request – because they have a disabled child. For more information, see our article on flexible working and discrimination.

We have more information about requesting flexible working –  including advice on how to negotiate, how to request, and your rights if your request is refused.

This advice applies in England, Wales and Scotland. If you live in another part of the UK, the law may differ. Please call our helpline for more details. If you are in Northern Ireland you can visit the Labour Relations Agency or call their helpline Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300.

If you have further questions and would like to contact our advice team please use our advice contact form below or call us.

• 

  Would your employer benefit from support from Working Families?

  Would your employer benefit from some support & guidance from Working Families? If you would like to make your employer aware of how Working Families can help them, we have an introduction letter template available that you can give to the relevant person in your organisation.