Coming quickly after working family carers gained the right to unpaid leave via the as Health and Care Act 2022 The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 has now received royal assent.
When The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 becomes law next year family carers will be able to request changes to their working hours, times of work, or place of work from the first day of employment. It will replace the previous need to have been in continuous employment for a minimum of 26 weeks (six months) before making an application for flexible working arrangements. Not only does the act remove this key barrier to family carers restarting employment or changing job roles it introduces;
- New requirements for employers to consult with the employee before rejecting any flexible working request.
- Permission for employees to make two requests in a 12-month period instead of the current on per period.
- Reduced waiting times for the employer to make a decision, from the current three months to two months.
- The removal of the need for employees to explain what effect, if any, a change working pattern would have on the employer, and how that effect might be dealt with
Kirsten Alderson, CEO of Suffolk Family Carers said “The increased flexibility provided by this change will help more working family carers balance their caring role with paid employment and prevent a loss of income. Changes such as this are important for both family carers themselves and the national economy”
More details on The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 can be found on the government press release
