Equal Opportunities

Flexible Working Improvements, Maternity and Adoption Rights Under the Work And Families Act 2006

4 April 2007

From 6 April 2007, there are changes to the right to apply for flexible working being extended to carers of adults under the Work and Families Act 2006 (in Northern Ireland, the Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006) extending the right to request flexible working to include employees who care or are expecting to care for an adult in need of care.

The right to apply is in line with the existing provision for parents of children who meet the criteria. ACAS have produced an advice leaflet on the extended rights now available: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=803.

There are also changes to the rules affecting working during pregnancy, maternity leave, maternity pay and return to work for parents whose expected week of childbirth begins on or after 1st April 2007 or in respect of adoption of a child placed for adoption, where the placement occurs after 1st April 2007.