15-05-2008
Flexible working rights extended in UK
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of public liability insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
The UK government has announced plans to extend the right of employees to request flexible working arrangements, it has emerged.
Britain's secretary for business John Hutton has confirmed details of the extension, which will enable parents with children up to the age of 16 to request the right to work on a flexible basis.
"I am convinced that the challenges which parents with older children face are considerable, and that the arguments for raising the age to 16 are compelling," said Imelda Walsh, human resources director at Sainsbury, a UK-based retailer established in 1869.
"This change would offer an important opportunity for parents to have extra flexibility at key times in their children's lives."
However, the move is not popular in some quarters, with leaders from the small business sector who believe that employers may fail to cope with levels of demand.
At present, parents can request flexible working arrangements for children up to the age of six.