Following
the announcement of plans to extend flexible working rights to carers, the
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has urged the Government
to consider extending the right to all workers when it reviews the legislation.
Mike
Emmott, head of employee relations, said: "The CIPD welcomes this as
further evidence that the Government is considering extending the right to
request flexible working. However we would prefer the Government to be
bolder."
"In
practice, nearly three-quarters of employers say they are willing to consider
requests for flexible working from all employees, not just parents. This
reduces the likelihood that some employees will feel badly treated because they
believe that others are being given preferential treatment," he said
"Where
individuals can establish a positive work-life balance, both employers and
employees benefit. We shall continue to argue for the statutory right to apply
to all employees, not just to particular groups."
In
October, the CIPD was the first to investigate how employers have reacted to
the new right. Its publication A Parent’s Right to Ask revealed that
almost two in three employers who have received statutory requests have agreed
to at least half of them, either in the form submitted by employees or in
modified form.
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Nine
out of 10 employers say they have had no significant problems complying with
the new right to ask. And 60 per cent of employers say that the current package
of family friendly rights has not tipped the balance too far in favour of
working parents – underlining support for the new right.
