Work flexibility for carers
The Fair Work Act will be amended to broaden the right to request flexible working arrangements, according to an announcement by Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten.
The Fair Work Act will be amended to broaden the right to request flexible working arrangements, according to an announcement by Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten.
The right to request flexible hours is limited to parents with responsibility for a child under school age or a child with disability aged under 18. The right to request flexible work arrangements will now be extended to include:
- mature age employees
- workers with caring responsibilities
- employees who are parents, or who have responsibility for the care of a child of school age
- employees with a disability
- workers experiencing family violence and workers providing personal care, support and assistance to a member of their immediate family or member of their household because they are experiencing family violence
Carers NSW has advocated for the expansion of the right to request flexible work to support carers to balance their paid work and caring responsibilities.
This change benefits employees who may otherwise feel they have no choice but to leave employment, and benefits employers who retain skilled and experienced staff and benefits the broader economy and community by providing pathways for increased workforce participation and social inclusion for particular groups.
Employers can only refuse a request on reasonable business grounds and this will remain. The government will provide further guidance to employers and employees about what constitutes ‘reasonable business grounds’, which was also raised in submissions to the Fair Work Act Review.
Carers NSW will keep carers informed of any developments as the government finalises the details of the new provisions.
For more information, contact the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations on 1300 363 079.
