The law and your rights

Jan 22 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

STAFF have a statutory right to request flexible working to enable them to care for a child under six or under 18 if they are disabled. But bosses are not obliged to help sort out their domestic problems.

The flexible working law, which was updated last year to include dependent adults, requires employers to take such requests seriously and only reject them for good business reasons. But dad of two, prime minister Gordon Brown, believes businesses should be more sympathetic. He used his first Queen’s Speech to set out a work-life balance agenda that could extend flexible working rights to as many as 4.5 million more parents.

His November announce- ment included plans to include parents of older children in the legislation and he requested a review of the age at which it should be set. Recommendations to the Secretary of State are expected in the spring.

But even with the law on their side, many parents don’t feel comfortable asking. A recent survey of 1,500 mums and dads found that two thirds believed asking to work more flexible hours would damage their career prospects.

The study, by childcare organisation emergency childcare.co.uk also revealed two out of five had been questioned in a job interview about their family commitments, and how that might impact on their work.

Meanwhile, many organisations, like manufacturers’ organisation EEF, believe more legislation and “the burden of more red tape” could put businesses off.

Alan Hall, EEF Northern director which is backing the regional Work Wise campaign, said: “Legislation needs to recognise the different needs of employers as flexible working does not fit every employer or every situation.

“There is no one size fits all scenario, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

“EEF fully supports the drive to smarter working, but would support a more consensual approach between the employer and employee to drive this agenda forward.”

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