The
Institute of Directors has urged the Government to abandon proposals to make
life easier for parents who work because of their potential impact on
businesses in the UK.
The
Government is considering a number of measures outlined in a green paper
including allowing women returning from maternity leave the right to demand
part-time or flexible hours and giving fathers the right to two weeks paternity
leave after the birth of a new baby.
Ruth
Lea, head of the IOD’s policy unit warned ministers that new rights for working
parents would damage competitiveness, increase costs and could jeopardise
existing flexible working practises.
A
report published by the IOD states, “The unrealistic and sentimentalist demands
for further work-life balance flexibilities fails to understand how business
works.
“Any
further work-life balance regulation could only damage business.”
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