Firms urged to embrace flexibility: parents of young children are to gain new rights at work.

AuthorHayward, Cathy
PositionWork-Life Balance

The CBI'S criticism of the imminent extension of flexible working privileges for parents is shortsighted, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

From next month, working parents of children aged under six (under 18 in the case of disabled children) have the right to apply to work flexibly and employers must treat all requests seriously. The CBI had expressed concern about extending these rights at a time when many employers could least afford it.

"The last thing that businesses need are additional costs and administrative burdens;' complained John Cridland, the CBI's deputy director-general. "Firms cannot simply go on absorbing extra costs. The government must recognise that the effect of all this new employment legislation is to damage businesses and destroy jobs"

But David Frost, the BCC's director-general, said: "Flexible working can increase staff morale and productivity. Many businesses recruit and retain valuable people because they think beyond the traditional Monday to Friday, nine to five."

Fewer than half of UK workers believe that their employer would respond positively to a flexible working request, according to research by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). And one-fifth of parents with young children think that their employer would oppose the idea.

Asking to change your hours isn't a sign that you're any less committed to the job, according to Julie Mellor, chair of the EOC. "Employers who have introduced flexible working policies say it helps them to recruit and retain the best...

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