The Government has recently announced changes to flexible working and parental leave, which it proposes to introduce in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
The changes to parental leave will allow both parents to share up to a year’s leave to look after their new-born children. Mothers will have to take at least the initial two weeks of leave after birth as a recovery period, but following that they can choose to end the maternity leave and the parents can opt to share the remaining leave as flexible parental leave.
With regards to flexible working, the Government intends to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, and remove the current statutory procedure for considering requests.
The proposals have generally been welcomed by employer and employee groups.
Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families commented:
“The Government’s own assessment shows the extension will bring a net benefit of £222.5 million to employers through increased productivity and through savings from reduced sickness, absenteeism and recruitment costs. Flexible working is an essential tool for business success.”
Katja Hall, CBI Chief Policy Director, said:
"Companies support the right of all staff to request flexible working, but they must be able to decide each case on its merits, as it may not be practical for all firms.”