The Rights of Working Parents

Author: Angela Armes

In the United Kingdom, we have one of Europe’s most parent-friendly systems which allows parents to have a quality of life and parental stability not always afforded by other countries.

The Rights of Working Parents

In short, parents in the UK have the working right to some or all of the following :

Flexible working hours
Paid leave for mothers (Maternity Leave)
Paid leave for fathers (paternity leave)
Paid and unpaid leave for adoptive parents

Flexible Working Hours

All working parents have the right to work flexible hours in order to ensure that their children are looked after correctly. Many working parents in the UK have to work long hours to be able to provide a stable life for the children. With this in mind, the government has introduced legislation that enables fathers and mothers alike to work a set number of hours (agreeable with their employer) in a slightly less formal structure.

This could allow a parent to work part-time hours during the course of a week starting at 9am and finishing at 3pm, for example; alternatively flexible working arrangements may allow for a parent to come into work later on a morning to allow transporting their children to school or a childminder.

Parental Rights Checker

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Maternity Leave

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) can be paid to a mother for up to 39 weeks after she has had her baby. As a working parent, a mother is entitled to maternity leave and statutory maternity pay if she has been in constant employment with the same company or organisation for 26 weeks prior to the 15 week of her pregnancy. A mother has the right to take 33 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave, which adds up to 52 weeks of entitled leave.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Paternity Leave

In the last few years the legislation governing the working rights of fathers has changed to ensure that fathers can have paid leave to spend with their children after they are born. This is referred to as paternity leave and is paid at the same rates as maternity pay although only for one to two weeks. A father can spend one to two weeks at home with his newborn child if he is (a) the child’s biological father or (b) married to the child’s mother.

Paid and Unpaid Leave for Adoptive Parents

Although adoptive leave is a working right of any parent, it may only be paid for if there are already arrangements and agreements in place with your employer. As with maternity and paternity leave, you must be employed by your current employer for 26 weeks prior to becoming the child’s adoptive parent.

As an adoptive parent, you are entitled to up to 52 weeks leave (26 weeks of ordinary adoption leave followed by 26 weeks of additional adoption leave) which is paid at a flat rate known as Statutory Adoptive Pay (SAP). In order to qualify for adoptive leave – paid or unpaid – you must notify your employer well in advance that you are being matched to a child for adoption. This allows them to make the necessary arrangements – not only for cover – but also if their terms and conditions state you are entitled to Statutory Adoptive Pay.

All of the aforementioned rights are afforded to working parents in the UK and if you are an expectant mother or proud father-to-be then you should investigate the terms and conditions of your employment and enquire as to whether or not these working rights are supported by your employer.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to help you find out what you are entitled to, and will also be able to help with understanding the terms and conditions of your contract of employment.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Parental Rights Checker lets you check your legal rights as a parent on education, health and welfare decisions. Try it now →

72 questions

Ask Law and Parents a Question

Carly 12/09/2021 at 12:20 pm

When I first started my job 2 years ago I was advised I would be working a Saturday once a month at the most. Another employee left and then it was pushed on me to work every Saturday until they got a new person. They then got a new person who could only work 2 days a week, but not a weekend, so I was just expected to keep working a Saturday. I brought it up with them that due to having a toddler, I cannot work a Saturday as I have no childcare, they then said it’s non negotiable and that’s the way it is, but I’m having to take my 3 year old to work with me 8-5 every single Saturday and it’s really not fair on her, so I’ve not had to hand my notice in as I feel I have no choice as I cannot keep taking her to work with me every weekend. Is this right? Can they do this? They are still asking me to work until the end of the month, but that means working Saturdays still, should I refuse this?

Vasu 20/03/2021 at 3:57 pm

My husband is working in Lidl. He. Is working 7Days 24hours forcible but i am planning to go to work. Is possible to get paermanant days or permanant hours working shirt to myhusband. Then i can find work on off times.

Austin Taylor 12/03/2021 at 6:10 pm

My step daughter may lose her job due to commitments to childcare. She is working 37.5 hours a week and has recently become a manager within her firm. The family help as much as possible but we all need to work too. As she is still within her 3 months probation period she is very worried but her employer knew that she was a parent before they took her on. I was hoping somebody her might be able to point me in the right direction of the best info on the net. The gov website and google just show what you are entitled to when you are expecting but it seems that once the child is born you are expected to fend for yourself. Being a parent isn’t even a protected characteristic which seems mad. Thanks I’m advance

Sarah 07/01/2021 at 2:31 pm

Hi, I have asked my employer if I am able to work a fixed 6am-2pm shift until my children are allowed back into school.
One is aged 14 and one aged 10, for home schooling and childcare. I can’t afford to be furlough and I’m not asking to be and I also can’t afford to take it unpaid.
I just don’t understand why they are being ass’s.
Have a done everything right?

Abuchie 19/11/2020 at 4:23 pm

Hi
I have just been disciplinary hearing at work because I had to leave work early because my daughters school phoned to pick her up. Had to do this two other times one time my daughter was rushed to hospital. When I did it a second time had a meeting with my boss and told me I had 2 get a contingency plan in place which I have done such as putting my mother has first contact at the school. My daughter suffers from ibs and sensory aura migraines. But if my mother can't get her from school I have to I have no other choice. Today she said I can get fired for this is that right

Caz 30/10/2020 at 8:19 am

My daughter has requested fixed days inorder to sort out child care but her boss has not been very helpful

Carolyn 30/10/2020 at 8:16 am

My daughter has a 9 month old and her boss gives her the next weeks rota at short notice and therefore she struggles with child care
Does her boss have to give her a certain amount of notice
She has requested fixed days but her boss has said no

Josie 09/09/2020 at 12:26 am

Hi I got fired today. I was work 2:30pm-10:30pm mon-fri.
I've been working with this company for a month now. I'm in the process of putting my 1yr in daycare, so for now I had to go with babysitters. I only called in twice because my babysitter wasn't able to make it. I got a call today saying I was fired because I didn't have a reliable babysitter.. I also never got a notice they said I wasn't work for the rest to the week....

FaithKobey09 06/03/2020 at 6:05 pm

Hi, I am after some advice I am struggling with 2 days at work due to my parents going on holiday my employer is being less than understanding and refusing to let me book holiday as I have only been there a few month, is there anything I can do?!

MaryA 06/12/2019 at 11:57 pm

Hi. I was hoping someone can advise please. My work have told myself & my colleagues that they do not accept dependant leave, if our kids are ill and we don’t go to work then it’s ‘non-authorised’ absence and we receive a ‘disciplinary’ If the school calls to say the child is ill then we can only leave if we get someone in to cover otherwise if we leave without their approval it could result in dismissal. Yes it would put them a staff member down but we work in a large team but no matter what our kids come first. Surely they can’t stop us leaving ??

Jamie 05/11/2019 at 12:03 am

My employee has just demoted me due to the fact after having my child I can only do part time now I'm off maternity. I would just like to know if this is legal or discrimination against me

Becca 01/09/2019 at 11:09 pm

I currently work shifts as a senior carer in a care home and also have a 3 year old daughter who who is looked after by my mother when i’m at work. (She also works shifts) My previous manager sat with me and we arranged my shifts perfectly around my mothers shifts to ensure my child is taken care of. I since have had a new manager and two of my colleagues have just handed in their notice. My new manager has told our team that our rota’s will have to change to accommodate the new staff but this will be impossible for me to do as my shifts are exactly how i need them to be in order for my mother to continue helping me with childcare. This is really stressing me out and i dont know what i can do??? Please advise me

Mr MeerKat 07/06/2019 at 4:25 pm

Me and my wife have a 2 month baby and she due to go back to work soon.
we both work for the same company but in different departments..my wife's is a Waitress.. And I am a night chef..
My wife's situation has no consequences. She can work mornings or evenings..
Me on the other hand feel helpless.
I was given 2 choices..
First choice is to continue to do night. But when I get home my wife be going to work and I will have stay awake looking after our child till she gets back.. Which means I will be awake for 21 hours and asleep for 3 hours before I have to leave to go work again.
The second choice I had was to move to day shift but take a pay cut and a demotion..

The company seems more concerned with my wife coming back to work

Where do I do about this if I can do anything.?

And if my wife started a different job..
How can we guarantee that one of us is at home with the baby..

Vicki 19/05/2019 at 5:48 pm

I have an employee who has stated she cannot work certain shifts due to lack of childcare since her marriage broke down. We have accommodated her to her requirements, which means other team members have had to readjust their shifts. Thus includes Saturday nights. However, since we have rearranged her shifts for her and she no longer works Saturday nights, every Saturday night since she has gone out socialising. Team members are doing her shifts on the factor that she doesn't have childcare- not so that she can go out drinking. What are our rights as an employer? Is there anything I can do???

Zara 11/04/2019 at 9:37 pm

Hello I am looking for some advice, my daughter who is 16 years old she has a job at a local holiday park I am just wondering what time she is allowed to work till they seem to have her working till 11pm some evening she has a shift coming up starting work at 1pm and finishing at 11pm on a Saturday with only half a hour break, I don't thin nk this is right she has mentioned to her employer about this but they have not done anything she starts her gcse soon and I am worried it is going to effect them with her working late

Maddog 13/10/2018 at 2:29 pm

Hi a friend has recently been sacked after working as an electrician for years for the same company due to him refusing to working abroad at the minute due to his new born baby being in icu after being born early with complications. He hasn't even taken his paternity leave. He feels he cannot be working abroad whilst his little girl is still in hospital but has been going to work as normal and was saving his paternity leave for when she goes home. Does he have any rights on his side? Thankyou.

Bila 13/07/2018 at 9:57 am

Hi, I have been working for the same company for the last 10 years, recently my line manager confessed to me that she was struggling and she really needs a help of a manager during the day( iam working evening shifts) so I said that my husband who was working on days at the time has been offered a job during evening but he didn’t take it because of our 4 children who must be looked after so he is doing days and more
evenings, anyway she said please speak to your husband and see if he is happy going on evenings and you work days with me, I have agreed also spoke to my husband arranged everyting and told her that I was ready to start working with her from the 2nd of July. She said ok that’s great let’s let our director know of the news, after I told him he said no to me that he doesn’t have a manager position for me but if I want I can work as an administrator for £5000 pound less in my wage during the day.
Please help me with an advise as am struggling with child care

Joe 13/06/2018 at 7:16 pm

I am a hospitality staff working for nights. As a separated father and in recent court order. I have to have to pick up my daughter from school on alternative weeks and return her back to school on Monday. So alternatively I am taking 1 day and then 3 days off. My department has now refused to give weekly off as above.

Recently I requested my company for a week of unpaid leave as my daughter will be with me during 3 week holiday period was refused. So I requested for day shift so I am at home during the nights. This is also declined

Is there any law that can support me in my case

Lizzylou 02/06/2018 at 8:25 pm

hi. I presently work within a large public corporation on a part time basis. I am a single mother and my family can only help before and after school. My youngest son goes to nursery which is available to me on week days. The manager is asking me to work nights and weekends, which means potentially that I will pay more in childcare than I earn in a month. What are my rights? Can I say no?

Luke2758 05/05/2018 at 8:32 pm

I started a job on march 1st and explained i would need 1 day off a week in order to see my son, opted to work over 48 hours (chef) 2 months in i was told i would have to work 7 days a week at least once or twice through june/july/august as i feel this would cause emotional damage to my 3 year old son i have decided to quit, but i feel somewhat harrassed for having to raise a child but legally where do i stand on this issue?

LawAndParents Editor 25/04/2018 at 12:52 pm

Employers have to consider all requests for flexible working. They can refuse but need to give a good business reason for doing so.

Di 23/04/2018 at 4:26 pm

I have a SGO for my grandson who is 6yrs and I need to rearrange my working shifts... I work in care home and I need to work four days off and three days in so I can work back to back with my partner so that one of use is their each day, does my employer have.to hourner my request.

LawAndParents Editor 28/03/2018 at 12:34 pm

Was it working well with your old boss? Can you get some evidence of that? Do you have a union rep who you can talk to about this?

Gemma 26/03/2018 at 5:43 pm

I returned to work from Maternity leave in October 2017. I agreed to work a split shift Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 6am -1pm then 7pm -11pm with Wednesday working 6am-3pm and Fridays off. We agreed this on a trial basis to be reviewed in December. It was never reviewed but my new boss has decided he wants me working core hours. This means I have to pay for childcare and is pointless because I will be walking away with net part time salary working full time hours and will not get time with my daughter. Since he raised this a week ago he is making my life hell contacting me in the afternoons when he never contacts me in the mornings when I am working. I think he is trying to build a case that the flexible hours aren’t working. Do I have any rights around this or do I just have to quit my job which is basically where it’s heading

Crossy 02/03/2018 at 7:32 pm

Myself and my wife work every other weekend so when i am off l look after our son and my wife works that weekend and when she is off i work the other weekend our son is under 16 and now my work are saying i have to work 3 weekends out of 4 so there is no one to look after my son as we will both be at work can they make me do this is there some law i can show them to help my case .

LawAndParents Editor 12/01/2018 at 1:00 pm

If you don't start work until 3pm, this wouldn't be affect your working hours anyway would it?

Clarebear84 10/01/2018 at 9:24 pm

Tez. have you applied for childcare as part of your tax credits? They will pay up to 70%. you should also get help with rent and council tax with such a low income. Ring your local housing office and also call tax credits to inform them you want to add this to your claim 03453003900. You can also update it all online if you search for manage tax credits online and it's done pretty much immediately (unless they need more info) I hope this helps your situation. We've all been there. Chin up ????

Leechy 10/01/2018 at 4:40 pm

I have a job 3-6.15 and I have no one to pick my daughter up from nursery school. Is there any chance I could pick her up at 2 o clock for a short period so I can take her to a child minder before I start work?

mother 17/12/2017 at 9:55 am

I need advise as I been working in a retail store for 15 years did the same days and hrs as i got 4 children .my manager has reviewed my flex and said my hrs are not for the business and gave me two options to work 12-4 or 1-5 I've explained i need to pick up my child from school for 3:30 . I've even offered to work 11:45- 2:45 , to be honest am on the shop floor at 10 biggest floor and there are days when am on my own until next member of staff starts 11 or 12 .where do I stand I need advise

keithy 14/10/2017 at 10:09 am

My daughters nursery contacted my work saying my child was poorly and needed picking up my employer then contacted the nursery to confirm this after I left site and with no permission is this legal

StressedMum 04/10/2017 at 1:13 pm

I need some advice please. I was recently forced out of job where the manager claimed that she cannot accommodate me on the days that I was available to work as I have to look after my son and was available to work on days that my husband has off. They owe me on sick pay and holiday pay and I wanted compensation for being victimised at work. We went through the resolution process but eventually the company said they do not want to negotiate. Now I have to find a legal representative to prepare my case to the employment tribunal. Can anyone recommend a good solicitor in London who is keek to defend the rights of a working mother? Thanks

LawAndParents Editor 27/09/2017 at 12:48 pm

We don't know what kind of job you are undertaking at your work place, so can't really give specific advice. You can appeal an employer's decision to refuse your application to work flexibly but you must do this within 14 days of receiving the refusal. If you feel you application has been refused on flimsy grounds (i.e other employees applications have been accepted etc) and the appeal is unsuccessful, you could consider taking it to a tribunal. The employer has to look at its business position too and if it has a valid reason for refusal, there isn't much you can do.

Cp123 25/09/2017 at 7:11 pm

I've recently asked to change my shifts so they work around school hours 9-3 twice a week and to work a weekend day. As I single mum I don't have a lot of childcare options within my family and friends. I have worked for the company for 9years and they are saying it doesn't met the company's needs. Being a large supermarket i would of thought they would be able to accommodate me, as my child is under 5 are they supposed to help me?

LawAndParents Editor 19/09/2017 at 12:34 pm

You can make an application for flexible working hours (a change of working hours to suit you/your lifestyle). Your employer has to give the request due consideration and must provide a valid business reason for refusing the request.

Daniel 17/09/2017 at 10:12 pm

As a father do i have any rights as my partner (sons mother) works 2 nights a week starts at 8 pm but i dont finish work till 9pm. Do i have any rights to help my partner. A... get set days off to cover the 2 nights she work or B... get to leave work an hour early

work late dad 06/09/2017 at 6:24 pm

Hi, I have my children 6 nights out of 14 and three full weeks per year (in my work holidays) I also pay the maintenance I should as per the gov.uk website.

Unfortunately on "my" nights I cannot pick up the three children until half past 7 as my working day is 11:00 until 19:00.

My ex is constantly on at me because of this and the fact she has to also feed them but is there anything legally I can do to stop the moaning.

She also is threatening to "drop the kids off" at my work or to my house (so my partner would have to have them early). I obviously can't start my night with them (or my partner when they aren't there) until half past 7 when I finish work.

Any deflecting arguments gratefully received. Many thanks WLD

Obviously

Liz 18/08/2017 at 4:01 pm

I'm was carer at the care home I'm working then became a senior carer i was able to do night's because the dad was looking after my son but now the the dad is doing night shift I talked to my manage at work and explain to her her I can only do morning shifts now she is forcing me to do night shift I can't do it because my son is 8 years and can't leave him alone in the house what should I do

Blue eyes 23/06/2017 at 7:09 pm

I am a support worker. I have never had any problems with any shifts until my mum passed away last september. I actually have nobody to look after my daughter.
My problem is that last october i spoke to my manager asking if i could do the 10 am starts instead of 8am starts so that i could see my daughter to school. I also asked for no nightshifts on school nights as my daughtee cant just randomly stay at peoples houses on a school night. Remember i have nobody to watch her!
Explained my dilemma and said i also disnt want to impact on the service users either. So i asked him if he couldn't accomodate to just let me know as my child comes first.
I had to go back to my manager several times before i finally got an answer that yes i could be accommodated. I did say i had no issue looking for another job more suitable but was told this was not required.
Last week my team leader messaged to say i will have to do nights through the week now and what nights would be best for me?
Iam so upset that it has been left until now . I said i will do whatever as school holidays coming up but god knows where im putting her. I then messaged to say i was worried when kids go back to school as obviously nowhere babysits overnight . She said the rota has to be fair. Im angry as i spoke about my problems in october and im getting hit with this now.
Please can you help???

Helen 18/12/2016 at 10:34 pm

I have worked with my company for over a year and a half I helped out one week with a night shift as my sister was on holidays from work now they are trying to teller I have to do night shift when I have no one that can look after my kids as all my family work I lost my mum 2 years ago who always looked after them I work my weekend and the other single parents don't have to so why is it any different that I can't do night shift but I always help them out when needed.

Kayting 16/04/2016 at 9:49 am

Hi no one seems to share my situation and i can't find help anywhere!! I began my fantastic job with full flexibility as my ex partner was unemployed and the arrangement was for him to take care of our children whilst i worked which i assumed was mutually beneficial, the hours range from 7am to 8pm and involve many weekends. His increasing unwillingness to have the children and unreliability caused me to drop my hours and my employer has been completely understanding however now that my ex has a job he is only picking the children up from school 2 days per week and no weekends and is being very unreasonable and willing to co-oporate and his unwillingness to discuss weekends off with his employer has caused alot of stress and I am expected at work to work some weekends and I do not know where to turn as he has no obligation what so ever to co-oporate with me or to help me pay for childcare! Thats life as he puts it. I have run out of options and dont know where to turn!!!

LawAndParents Editor 08/04/2016 at 12:09 pm

You should check your contract terms are you classified as a "casual worker" or "zero hours worker" now? In general to qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay you must have average earnings that are at least the lower earnings limit for National Insurance (£112 per week) for the 15 weeks before the baby is due. Average earnings for SMP are calculated over eight weeks using paydays up to and including the 15th week.

Laura 06/04/2016 at 11:51 pm

Hi, I was employed as a full time support worker and after I passed my probation period I had to change my hours to bank hours where I pick up shifts instead of being garenteed hours each month/week due to not having much help with babysitters for my 2yr old, I also found out I was pregnant when I changed my hours and am being told I am not entitled to maternity or SMP even though I started my employment June 2015 and am 20weeks pregnant what do I do?

LawAndParents Editor 06/04/2016 at 12:47 pm

An employer can decide when you should take your annual leave. If however, you feel you are being discriminated against as a parent, then you should If you think you’ve been unfairly discriminated against you can talk to your employer first to try and sort out the problem informally. If things can’t be sorted out informally, talk to Acas, Citizens Advice or a trade union representative.

Working mom 04/04/2016 at 9:42 am

Hi, I'm a working mom with part time contract. I has saved my allocated holidays for school summer holiday to be able to look after my son, but when I requested for holiday 6 months in advance, I have been rejected for not having enough stuff to cover my shifts. The Costco manager attitude toward the matter was offensive. He replied to my request," I run a business and to me you and your problem of child care is outsider!!" So the company now spread my holiday over months till August , 2 or 3 days a week here and there. I was wondering if there is any way to deal with this kind of attitude toward a mother who hasn't got any family or friends around to help her over summer school holidays.
Many thnks

Stacey 31/03/2016 at 9:08 am

My husband is in full time work our young boys came down with suspected Scarlett fever. I also became very ill on the same day, unable to look after ours boys. I had a fever and very bad aches. I later in the day found something on my boob (got it checked out the following day turned out to be mastitis)
Anyway I begged my hubby to stay at home this one day to help look after are boys as I was too unwell. This is the first time he's had a day off too help in child care issues. He emailed them to let them know as we don't have a land line or phone credit. On he's next working day he had a 'back to work' interview??? Where he was made to feel the need to lie and say he was ill as these interviews are only held when you have been ill yourself. And now he's been called to a meeting as he emailed and didn't phone?? He used to only means possible to let them know

scottishsinglemother 10/01/2016 at 9:14 pm

I had not long started with a new employer before going on my 39 week ML , i was still in the middle of my trail peroid with them when i went on ML . while i was on leave i used 4 of my keep in touch with my workplace and checked in with the boss on a regular basics . I returned to work 8 weeks ago , to find that my boss had taken on another front desk clerk and that my hours had been dropped by an 1 and half a week as well ( i'm on an 14.5 hour per week on contact but use to often work between 17-19 per week in overtime) . Ever since my return my boss as been fishing for any faults in my work or work parttens - am often being used now as the first point of call for any mistake that the other two front clerk make - she is just assuming it is me ( other am not even on the shifts these things have happened) . my mother looks after my 10 month old little girl while i work and i often tend to be late in picking her up cause all of the little extra's my boss wishes done at the end of each shift . my boss has made catty comments about the fact my childcare arrangements . my boss in passing made a comment about need to look at my hours again , i said will if you looking at the hours anyway , would it be possible for me to have one day per a week of back to back shifts to make childcare easier on my mum - as my shifts as all over the place atm and my boss keep making changes to the rota at the very last mintue . i'm now feel like am being forced out or forced to hand in my notice . Is there anything i can do ?

LawAndParents Editor 18/11/2015 at 10:26 am

You are allowed time off to deal with an emergency involving your children. This time off should be to simply deal with the emergency (e.g you're expected to find someone else to care for the child one the emergency period is over). Your employer does not have to pay you for this time off. If this happens regularly and it affects the efficient running of the organisation, your employer can take further action. You should try and make sure you have back-up for situations like this (e.g your child's father, a grandparent, friend or relative could be given the password to collect your child from nursery). Obviously in situations where emergency hospital treatment is needed, you would want to be the person to take them...you will find it much easier to get time off for this, if you have someone else in place for the non-emergency situations.

annabennetts 15/11/2015 at 1:34 pm

Hi my area manager has asked my manager to have a talk to me this is because i had to leave work early as my daughters nursery had rang to say she had been sick and she does need to be picked up with in the hour i dont know what they expected me to do i didnt have anyone elae that could get her what can they do if this happens again

kateyd81 12/10/2015 at 4:30 pm

My employer has rejected all my holiday request to have time off in school holidays apart from one week so I have 12 weeks of child care to cover ! Is there anything I can do ?

Babygirl 12/09/2015 at 8:04 pm

I got a phone call from my boss yesterday (Monday) saying I would go to training on Thursday and be there early, I agree as he said starts at 10am, now I found out that I would have to leave early morning and be back late at night, I have just been promoted so training is a must and would like to go. My problem is I have a child who 9 and I don't have the childcare, I've got a family member to take him to school (they are going in work late) but I won't have anyone to watch himation wards as its not just a couple of hours its until late at night, its a school night and he needs to be in bed at a reasonable time can I be demoted or even sack??? Do I have to attend??? If I don't attend what will happen???

LawAndParents Editor 18/08/2015 at 12:03 pm

We don't know what your contract says in terms of having to work extra hours, but in general if your contract specifies a number of hours then that is what you can expect to work. If your contract is a zero hours contract, then you can choose whether to work the extra hours or not. You can make a request for flexible working hours and your employer should give this due consideration. The employer does not however, have to consent to your request, but should give a valid reason for refusing it.

Tiff 17/08/2015 at 5:26 pm

I currently work work part time for a retail company. Our contracts are only for 8 hours but I always do more than that. I need to reduce my hours and stop working weekends as I no longer have weekend childcare for my son and I am beginning university. Can I request this and is there any rules that mean my employers have to say yes or can I be forced to leave by them not giving me any hours or sending me for workforce consultation.

LawAndParents Editor 15/07/2015 at 2:38 pm

@Em. Anyone can ask for flexible working hours, but an employer does not have to consent to the request.

Em 11/07/2015 at 8:55 pm

I work 30 hrs a week but we do 12 hour shifts I have a son aged 15 what is the law for flexi workin

LawAndParents Editor 02/07/2015 at 11:29 am

@Shar. There is not much you can do about this if you have been given sufficient notice to arrange childcare (and 3 months is sufficient). Does your 7 year old have any friends' parents who would help out? Or family members? It is only for one day after all.

Shar 29/06/2015 at 2:31 pm

Hi, im a single parent to a 7 yr old and have worked part time two days a week between sat & Mon since returning from maternity leave. My employer has said that I have to attend a training course that is 90 miles from my home and on a day that is not within my normal working hours, I have also explained that childcare would be impossible as I would have to leave very early in the morning returning late home in the evening, I am also not happy about being so far away from my son if there was an emergency. I was told that this is a mandatory course and that they have given me 3 months notice to arrange care for my child. I'm not sure where I stand on this, I said that I would do the training but not at its current location, im not sure where to go from here

LawAndParents Editor 15/04/2015 at 12:51 pm

@Emmy. You are allowed a 'reasonable' amount of time off to deal with an emergency relating to your child, but there's no definition of reasonable. ACAS/government advice suggests one to two days and the example given is as follows: "If your child falls ill you could take time off to go to the doctor and make care arrangements. Your employer may then ask you to take annual leave or parental leave if you want to look after your child for longer. There are no limits on how many times you can take time off for dependants. Your employer may want to talk to you if they think time off is affecting your work." As an employee you should try to make arrangement for someone else to look after your child or to take annual leave.

Emmy 14/04/2015 at 12:37 pm

I work full time , and I have been told I have had to much time of because my child has Sick , can the sack me over the time I have had of

LawAndParents Editor 09/03/2015 at 2:17 pm

@Hollz. Unfortunately the company can refuse your request for flexible working hours as long as they give a valid reason. Your only realistic option is to seek alternative employment in this situaton.

Hollz 05/03/2015 at 12:34 pm

I am a single mum, over the past 6 months I have struggled to work my shifts in a hotel due to them not allowing me to work flexible hours, my childcare provision has fallen through which means if I work my son cannot attend school as he would need to sleep over with relatives and I would only see him 1 hour per day, his school & social services are concerned about this. This has caused me to suffer with depression due to no income and scared to resign from my post as I may not get benefits for 26 weeks, I have £900 rent arrears and no way to pay. Please can you offer me advice.

LawAndParents Editor 02/03/2015 at 2:45 pm

@Frustrated1 - if you are being paid for accrued holidays these should be paid at your normal rate.

Frustrated1 26/02/2015 at 7:19 pm

I'm currently on maternity leave..due back in April. I've accured 20 days holidays. I've asked what she wants me to do...use them up at end of Maternity or get paid for them. She said get paid at 90% of my wage. Is that correct?

LawAndParents Editor 04/12/2014 at 11:03 am

@Lou. You've not said what kind of punishment...but if you take time off then unless you take paid leave, your salary will be deducted.

boo 26/06/2014 at 10:15 pm

I have worked as a housekeeper in a well none chain of care homes for the last 21 months. When I was interviewed for the job I made it very clear that I could never work weekends being a single parent to 3 children, one with mental health issues.
I have been working the agreed hours 9-2 Monday to Friday up until around 6 plus weeks ago. My line manager who has discriminated against me from the start of my working life with the company has changed the rota so I have to work weekends, she has known from the start that I couldn't work weekends but since she has been promoted to line manager she has made my life very difficult. She has hired weekend staff who she let's have one weekend off a month and can accommodate for that, also another member of the team who has a husband only works weekends when the school holidays come and she accommodates that also. I have put in a form for flexible working hours but im doubtful i'm going to get it as the rotas been done and im on for the weekends. I'm feeling very frustrated!

Bobbles 14/11/2013 at 11:54 am

For several months now I have been allowed to work through my lunch and finish at 4pm. This is because my 17yr old has sports after school and I need to be home for my 12 year old. Due to other employees this may stop and have no where to put my daughter. Can they withdraw this?

lochness 13/06/2013 at 4:02 pm

the company i work for has change it,s retail hours and expects single parents or parents to work to 9pm ...is there a legislation /law that ...that parents that don,t to work until this time supports their decicion

Ol 16/02/2013 at 5:04 pm

I have just had to take 2 part-time days off work as my 8 year old son had an emergency appendicectomy. My employers are making me use annual leave for this - is this correct or am I entitled to be paid or take unpaid leave? Many thanks.

sue 09/01/2013 at 9:13 pm

This comment is to Beu. Yes you can claim tax credits while living with your parent. They ask about a partner because your income would be combined. Income from your mother is hers and nothing to do with you. Fill your claim form in girl.

baxy 07/12/2012 at 5:54 am

I have just been told by my employer that I have got to go on flex time which means they can give me 7 days notice and I have to work an extra 8 hours on top of my 40 I already do I have 3 children under seven and a sick mother inlaw at home DoI have to work

Beu 29/02/2012 at 5:45 pm

Can anyone tell me whether you can claim tax credits while living at your parents home? The tax credit form only has a option stating whether you live with a partner. I am single with a teenage daughter. Mother is on pension credit/state pension.

chez 19/02/2012 at 11:32 am

i work 16 hrs week am a single parent of 3 children 2 of which are aged 10 and 6; have been on sick for 4 months due to illness due to return but have been told that all school holidays have been taken by other staff that have no children and as this is the only time i can have holidays with my children i think i am being treated unfairly. do i have any rights to school holidays. please help

Dan 14/05/2011 at 7:59 am

My girlfriend has had her hours dropped because she's pregnant, does anyone know if this is allowed? Thanks

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