From April 2009, parents with parental responsibility will be able to request flexible working arrangements for children who are under the age of 16, following a consultation published by the Government on Tuesday 26 August 2008.
Pat McFadden, the Employment Relations Minister advised that the consultation was seeking ways to reduce the administrative burdens on businesses where possible when processing requests for flexible working. The consultation considers amending the current obligation on the employer to provide the employee with written acceptance of his or her request for flexible working. The employee will now only receive such notification in writing from the employer if he specifically requests it. An employer will not however, be discharged from his or her duty with respect to notifying an employee where their request for flexible working has been denied.
The consultation recognises the need for there to be greater awareness amongst employees and employers as to their right to make flexible working requests. It proposes to provide businesses with more information and guidance about dealing with flexible working requests.
The government has endorsed the BusinessLink.gov.uk website as a means of providing cost effective guidance and information to employees and employers. The information can be found under the heading ‘Employing People’ which even provides online forms that employers can use to deal with flexible working requests.
Access the consultation document at http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file47434.pdf
Tags: amendment to flexible working, Government consultation, new upper limit for children, Proposed Legislation
