Family rights

Family rights cover a number of rights available to the parent or main carer for a child or a dependant adult. Examples include:

• maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay
• parental leave – unpaid leave connected with the welfare of a child, for example to stay with them in hospital or to visit new schools
• time off to deal with emergencies – unpaid leave to assist a dependant, including a spouse, partner, child, parent, someone else who lives with the employee (although not lodgers) or someone who relies on them for care, such as an elderly neighbour
• the right to request flexible working – from April 2009, this applies to people with responsibility for a child aged 16 and under, a child aged 18 or under receiving Disability Living Allowance or an adult requiring care.

If you meet the qualifying criteria for these types of leave or flexible working but your request is denied or you suffer harassment, victimisation or dismissal as a result, you may be able to take your case to an employment tribunal and we can advise and assist you with this process.

For more information on how we can help you, please contact us on
01702 339222 or at employee@btmk.co.uk