FLEXIBLE WORKING
Reactions to extension of right to request flexible working
An independent review by Sainsbury’s HR director, Imelda Walsh, has recommended extending the right to request flexible working to parents of children up to age 16. Business Secretary John Hutton accepted her recommendations and the government will now consult on implementing the proposals (see News 20 May 2008).
Industry, unions and representatives of the HR profession have welcomed the report.
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Confederation of British Industry
Commenting on the publication of Imelda Walsh's report for the government on flexible working, the CBI's director of HR policy, Susan Anderson said:
"Imelda Walsh conducted a thorough review of the right to request flexible working, and consulted a wide range of firms. As a result, the extension to parents of children up to age 16 strikes a fair balance and firms are up for making this extension a success.
The right to request flexible working has worked well precisely because it is a 'right to request', not a 'right to have'. In nine out of ten cases, employers and employees agree a practical arrangement that suits both.
But extending the right to another four and a half million parents is a big step and the government must give firms enough time to prepare, particularly small firms that lack the HR resource of big companies. The extension should come into effect no sooner than October 2009 - not next April - as the process to make it law could easily run into the New Year."
Trades Union Congress
Responding to the Government's proposal to extend the right to request flexible working to the parents of children up to age 16, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“We welcome the extension to the age of 16, and that reports it would only apply up to the age of 12 are wrong. But unions will continue to campaign for everyone to have the right to request flexible working as it benefits both employees and employers if all staff can find a proper balance between work and the rest of their lives.”
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Responding to the publication of Imelda Walsh’s review and recommendations to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of older children, Mike Emmott, CIPD employee relations adviser, said:
“Imelda Walsh’s careful and thorough review has already been welcomed by the Prime Minister. Her recommendation to extend the right to request flexible working will also be welcomed by working parents across the country. And despite the objections from some in the business lobby, it will not be opposed by many in business.
Our research shows that part-time and flexible workers are happier, more engaged with their work, and therefore likely to perform better and be more productive. And in a tight labour market, flexible working is part of the package that can help recruit and retain the talent organisations need to deliver their objectives. It is therefore unsurprising that a great many employers, large and small, go well beyond the legislative minimums and allow employees to work flexibly regardless of their family status.
We remain concerned that businesses that stick to the legislative minimum on the right to request may begin to see the emergence of a divide in the workplace between the flexible working haves and have-nots. The danger with ever-larger groups of people entitled to request flexible working, and a smaller number not entitled to do so, is that a sense of unfairness will damage the employment relations climate and business performance.
In this context, we welcome the recommendation that the government should better assist those businesses that need more support, so as to reassure managers who are nervous about their ability to manage a flexible workforce. We have discussed this proposal with Imelda Walsh, and would be happy to help in promoting the good practice developed by the growing number of employers who have voluntarily extended the right to request to all workers.”