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Working from home!

NAS70785

Hi, my daughter is 16 years old and recently diagnosed ASD after a very traumatic 4 years of, to be quite honest,  a living hell. She has huge anxiety, paranoia and lots of struggles. I work in a special needs school so am a key worker. I am scheduled to be in 3 days a week at the moment but have asked to reduce that down by a day so I am only in 2 days and working from home for three. This is too support my daughter so she’s at home less on her own and to support her with her college online work that she’s not really coping well with.  This has been refused. Normally my mum spends a lot time with my daughter whilst we are at work (my fiancé - also high risk,  is a restaurant manager who has to be at work more than ever at the moment due to limited staff in)  but can’t now as we are concerned for my parents contracting coronavirus as my parents are in their 70s and my dad is also high risk (cancer, heart problems and due to have open heart surgery in the next few week’s!)

It’s not really an option to have her in college right now. 

Does anyone know my rights to be able to work from home due to having a vulnerable child at home. 

Thank you for listening, beyond stressed right now!! 

  • Thank you everyone. After sending another email today work have agreed to my request. X 

  • This is general advice, and different types of job may require a different approach.  But covid means that normal practices are adapted.

    You may be able to put in a 'Flexible Working'Request' in accordance with your employers flexible working policy which you should be able to refer..  This should be seriously considered by your employer, although it really depends on the goodwill of your employer as there are many reasons they could refuse it although it should be considered seriously and not simply refused.  Your employer may also break indirect discrimination law by refusing to consider the possibility on the grounds you are disadvantaged by having a vulnerable  disabled dependent.

    Write a plan as to how you think working from home will benefit both you and the employer, emphasising that this will be a benefit to both parties and how any disadvantages will be mitigated.  For example, you are much less likely to have absence from work or be late, you can keep in touch by telephone/ video conferencing/ email and the work can easily be done from home.  A good IT system at work means work at home is often little disadvantage to many employers and the present situation demands working practises are far more flexible to comply with government guidelines and restrictions.

    Your employer may also have a home working policy to which you should also refer.  Remember though that if your employer is already offering you wfh for a few days a week this may be considered reasonable.  You should be able to appeal a refusal and enter a grievance should you still feel you are being dealt with unfairly. Be aware though that this can lead to a great deal of stress although harassing you for a grievance fairly put would be consideredan offence under employment law.

    If you are a member of a union you should be able to get help from a union representative, this is the sort of thing that a strong union presence in the workplace is a great help with and well worth your union fees. ACAS also may be able to advise you of your rights to flexible working.

  • It looks like government prefers different solution:

    www.gov.uk/.../making-a-childcare-bubble-with-another-household

    nothing about children that require special care

  • Oh, what a hard situation. I wish I could answer your question and help but I've no idea, but wanted at least to acknowledge your problem and that you have my sympathy.