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The Government is exploring ways to make flexible working easier in the workplace following the publication of a consultation on 26 August. Read the consultation [pdf] The consultation follows up on the Government's announcement that it would extend the right to request flexible working to parents whose children are 16 and under rather than 6 and under. Back in May the PM announced this extension of flexible working in a speech to Parliament. The PM said: "We propose to give every worker the right to request time to train and to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of older children, in order to help them balance their work and family life" Employment Relations Minister, Pat McFadden, said the consultation would seek views from business and suggest ways to reduce paperwork involved with flexible working requests. "The right to request flexible working has worked well because it helps employees to alance their home and work lives, but at the same time gives employers the right to say no where there are legitimate business concerns". .The right to request flexible working was introduced to parents with children under six in 2003 and to all carers in 2005. .Around six million employees currently have the right to request flexible working (3.6 million parents and 2.65 million carers). |
