Working Families celebrates right to request flexible working for all employees

Date 20 May 2010

Working Families celebrates flexible working for all

New coalition government to extend the right to request to all employees.

The coalition government has promised, in the five year plan announced today, to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, consulting with business on how best to do so.

Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families commented:

“Working Families is delighted that the Government has endorsed our call to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees.  We know that flexible working works best when it becomes part of the way we work, not just a concession to particular groups.  Many parents and carers benefit from the right to request  - some use it to increase valuable family time, others introduce small changes to start and finish times which allow them manage their working hours more effectively. This is a great step forward towards balanced working lives for all.    

“The business case for flexible working is well proven: reduced absenteeism and sickness costs, better retention rates and higher performance from loyal and satisfied employees.  Many excellent employers already offer the right to all employees and reap the benefits.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

Working Families is the UK’s leading work-life balance organisation.  The charity supports and gives a voice to working parents and carers, whilst also helping employers create workplaces which encourage work-life balance for everyone  The freephone legal helpline is on 0800 013 0313.

www.workingfamilies.org.uk

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Gardiner on 020 7017 0070 or Press Office on 020 7253 7243 or email press@workingfamilies.org.uk

Out of hours press mobile: 07870 177096 (for urgent national enquiries up to 7pm)