Carers Week | News Howells Solicitors
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Carers Week

Howells Solicitors

13 Jun, 2013

This week, 10th – 16th June 2013, is Carers Week, a UK-wide annual awareness campaign with the aim of improving the lives of carers and the people they care for.

Caring for a relative or friend can have a significant impact on the Carers life and other commitments that they have such as their job. If you are a Carer and are also in employment, there are several employment rights that you have, that you may not be aware of. These include:

  • The right to make a flexible working request – if you have caring responsibility for a child or a disabled adult, you have the right to make a statutory request for a flexible working arrangement, as long as you have worked for over 26 weeks’ for your employer.
  • Protection from discrimination – it is unlawful for an employer to treat an employee less favourably because of that employee’s association with someone with a disability. It is also unlawful for an employer to engage in unwanted conduct related to a persons disability, including the disability of someone you care for, where that conduct violates your dignity or creates a hostile or offensive environment to work in.
  • Time off for dependants – you are entitled to a reasonable amount of time off, in circumstances where you are required to provide assistance when a dependant falls ill or to make arrangements for their care. A dependant can be your spouse, parent or child or any person who reasonably relies upon you for assistance.

If you have caring responsibilities, then you and the person that you care for may also have entitlement to certain state benefits, including Personal Independence Payments and Carers Allowance and additional elements on Tax Credits claims.  Our Welfare Benefits team would be happy to advise you further about this.

If you feel you may have an issue relating to your employment rights as a Carer and want further advice and assistance with a grievance or Employment Tribunal claim do not hesitate to contact our employment department.

Contact us at any of our offices or request a call back for expert legal advice on all your employment related issues. We have a team of specialist employment lawyers ready to assist you.

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