If you have significant caring responsibilities you will need to talk with your employer about them to gain support.

As your caring responsibilities may affect your ability to do your work in the same way as someone else without such responsibilities, you may feel anxious or concerned about this and even fear that you will lose your job or have to give it up. You may want to negotiate shorter hours, set hours, leave and/or flexibility at work.

This Fact Sheet gives advice about your rights to ask for support for your caring role from your employer under industrial awards, enterprise bargaining agreements, Individual Tranisitional Employment Agreements and anti-discrimination laws.

It also highlights business arguments that focus on the benefits of family-friendly initiatives. It contains tips on negotiating with your employer, and steps to take if you have any problems along the way.

What next?

If you would like to learn more about the issues raised in this Fact Sheet you may like to try:

• returning to the Employees menu on the Gateway
• checking out the Federal Government Workplace Relations website for more information on Carers
• visiting the relevant state workplace and employment website
  • NSW - http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
    VIC - http://www.business.vic.gov.au
    QLD - http://www.deir.qld.gov.au
    SA - http://www.service.sa.gov.au
    WA - http://wa.gov.au/governmentservices/jobseconomy
    TAS - http://www.service.tas.gov.au
    NT - http://www.nt.gov.au
    ACT - http://www.act.gov.au
• subscribing to our monthly newsletter, Work 'n' Care, for regular information and support regarding the issues facing working carers.

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