Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged to extend the right to request flexible working to carers of elderly and sick relatives.
At a meeting in Downing Street to discuss work-life balance issues, the Prime Minister promised to extend to carers the same rights as those introduced for parents in the workplace. Currently carers can only request time off for emergencies.
With over half the nation’s six million carers in work, many would like to be able to combine caring with having a job.
“This is tremendous news for carers struggling to juggle work and care,” said Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK. “Flexibility from employers helps carers to stay in work longer and employers tell us that they get business benefits from employees in terms of lower absenteeism and recruitment costs. In return, they get loyalty from employees.”
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