Most people believe the right to request flexible working should be extended to all staff.
A survey of 2,031 adults, commissioned by the Equal Opportunities Commission, shows that 60% of people think the right should be made available to all workers, with even more supporting its extension to all parents and carers.
Seventy-five per cent of people agree that parents should be given the choice to share some of the paid maternity leave that is currently only available to mothers. And nearly half (48%) said they would be more likely to vote for a political party that supported family-friendly/flexible working policies. This figure increased to 58% among floating voters.
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There was also much support for part-time workers, with 90% of respondents agreeing that they were just as likely to be committed to their jobs as full-time staff. And 79% believe that those who are not in paid work because they are raising children or caring for others should have the same pension rights as those in full-time work.
