You can request flexible working hours if:

• you are an employee and have been working for your employer for at least 26 weeks; and 
• you haven't made a previous request for flexible working in the last 12 months; and 
• you expect to be caring for a spouse or someone you live with as if you are married, or a civil partner, or relative, or live at the same address as the adult in need of care. Or you are a parent of a child aged six and under, or a child who is disabled and under 18. Contact Carers UK for more details on which relatives qualify under this legislation.

You may be able to request flexible working hours, even if you do not meet the above conditions as many employers have their own flexible working policies.

To request flexible working hours, you need to give a written application to your employer. If your request is granted, the changes made will usually be written permanently in your contract. If your employer refuses your request, you can appeal this decision.

For more information about the Work and Families Act 2006, call Carers UK on 0808 808 7777 or call Acas on 08457 47 47 47.