Family Life/Work

Do you know your rights?

Read the full article in our digital Jan/Feb 21 magazine at the bottom of the page.

By Georgina Thomas

One thing that the pandemic has brought into focus has been the fact that it’s shown the difficulties that families face combining working with childcare, and even with the schools open again, the impact of the closures earlier in the year and current restrictions are still being felt.

In the first shutdown, it was made clear under the lockdown rules that employers were able to furlough their employees and/or workers who were unable to work due to having childcare commitments. This remains the case under the new extended furlough scheme from 1 November, and if you are unable to work due to childcare responsibilities (or other caring responsibilities) then your employer may put you on furlough. Do be aware there is no “right to furlough”, however.

Also, the fact that schools and childcare establishments are open and nannies and childminders allowed to work means that the test to show you are unable to work because of childcare will be higher, and employers may be reluctant to put you on furlough unless you can show a specific reason why you cannot work.