The
poor could miss out on new family-friendly working regulations, The Work
Foundation warns.
The
Work Foundation said proposed regulations intended to help employees balance
work and family life could create a two-tier workforce unless they were
properly monitored.
The
proposed new regulations on flexible working give employees the right to have
their requests for family-friendly working seriously considered by the
employer.
Responding
to the DTI’s consultation on the proposed regulations, The Work Foundation said
the Government needs to monitor the quality as well as the quantity of
family-friendly working on offer, to avoid the ‘best’ forms of flexibility
going to highly-skilled or valued workers who can negotiate their own terms,
and leaving only limited flexibility to other employees.
Theo
Blackwell, chief policy specialist at The Work Foundation, said:
"Attention should now be given to the quality of flexible work on offer
and who takes it in order to make sure the benefits are shared more equally.
"Employees
who are in a position of strength may benefit the most, while the majority, not
realising the full range of flexible working on offer, could miss the best
opportunities to change their working patterns to fit their family
responsibilities."
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
