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PM plans flexible hours for millions of parents
An attempt to fight back from the bad results in local elections.
- By Jean Eagleshamand and Andrew Taylor, Financial Times
- Published: 23:37 May 10, 2008
London: Millions of working mothers will gain the right to demand flexible hours under proposals to be unveiled by Gordon Brown next week as part of the government's attempt to fight back from its disastrous local elections defeat.
The prime minister is expected to signal a significant extension in the right to request part-time and flexible working when he sets out his plans for the next parliamentary term.
Some six million people are covered by the right to request flexible working, including employees caring for elderly relatives and 3.6 million whose children are disabled or aged under six years.
An independent review commissioned by Brown will recommend the age limit of six is more than doubled, say insiders. This will give new rights to at least 2.6 million parents - a figure that would rise to a 4.5 million if it were raised to 17. The final figure could rise to 16 years.
Under existing laws, parents are entitled to ask for flexible hours and employers must give a good reason for refusal. The majority of requests is granted.
Employers were concerned about parents of teenage children being able to ask for part-time working. The EEF manufacturers' group said: "It seems to us wrong that employers are the only people expected to make any accommodation for the work-life balance issue."
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