Carers of old and sick relatives given flexible working rights

Prime minister Tony Blair has pledged to extend the right to
request flexible working to carers of older and sick relatives.

The move will bring carers into line with parents of children
aged under six or disabled children aged under 18, who have enjoyed
the right since April 2003.

The measures also place a duty on employers to take the requests
seriously. At present, carers can only request time off for
emergencies.

Carers’ charity Carers UK said that the pledge was a
“huge step forward for working carers’ rights”,
with over half the nation’s six million carers in
employment.

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of the charity, said: “Our
work over the years has shown time and time again that flexibility
from employers helps carers to stay in work longer.”