From April 6 2003, parents with children aged under 6 or disabled children aged under 18 will have the right to request a flexible working pattern and their employers will have a duty to consider their applications seriously.
So what are my chances as an airline pilot? My wife wants to go back to work now that our daughter is at primary school. However, with my random roster pattern it just wouldn't work. However, if I only worked late shifts from Monday to Friday during term time then we could manage. I could gaurantee to drop her off at school at 0845 and my wife could gaurantee to collect at 1600 on her way back froM the hospital.
So, what happens when you legitimately put that request to an airline that operates its own 'flexible' roster? 'Flexible' of course, in the airlines interests only.
Check out:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/flexible.htm