Flexible working – the latest
Although it had been intended for some time that the right to request flexible working would be extended to cover parents and carers of all children under 18 from 6 April 2011, the Government announced on 18 March 2011 that this change would not be brought in after all.
The change would only have affected those with children aged 17 (parents and carers of adults already have separate rights, as detailed in our previous article), and the number of people wishing to make a flexible working request in relation to non-disabled 17 year olds is probably extremely small.
The previously stated intention had been to simplify the law so that it was clearer for employers who had the right to make a request. However, in the current political climate, the coalition government is seeking to remove so called “red tape” wherever it can, to try to show its support for business.
Are you dealing with a flexible working issue? If you would like to talk through a situation you are dealing with, or if you need advice on any aspect of employment law, please contact any member of the Pure Employment Law team (01243 836840 or [email protected]).