To take advantage of this right, you must:

• Have worked for the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks.

• Apply in writing no later than two weeks before the child's sixth birthday (or 18th birthday in the case of a disabled child).

• Have or expect to have responsibility for the child's upbringing.

• Make the application to enable you to care for the child.

• You cannot apply to work flexibly if you have made another application in the previous 12 months.

• You cannot apply to work flexibly if you are an agency worker.

• Flexible working includes a request to change the hours you work, to change the times you are required to work, or to work from home.

• If your employer agrees to the request for flexible working, the new working arrangement becomes a permanent change to your contract. If you wish to make the flexible arrangement temporary, you must make that clear and specifically agree to revert to the original or other terms.

• Your employer has to arrange to meet you to consider your request seriously, and within 14 days of that meeting must write to you either to agree the new working arrangement with a start date or give clear business grounds why your request is refused.

• You can appeal that decision within the next 14 days.

• You should discuss your request and the reasons for it with your Usdaw representative before asking for a change, or if there is a refusal.

• You are entitled to be accompanied at the meeting and the appeal by your Usdaw workplace representative.