Flexible working laws are due to be relaxed after the House of Lords waved through a bill on the issue its third reading today.
Workers in all industries will have the right to request flexible working from their first day of employment – and agree this right to request prior to agreeing contact terms - under revisions to the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, brought by Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Yasmin Qureshi.
Yasmin Qureshi MP raised the Private Member's Bill on flexible working that is now set to become law.
The bill aims to support women enter and stay in work and support caring responsibilities of all with caring responsibilities, as well as older and disabled workers.
It also proposes levelling the playing field in recruitment by requiring employers to offer and advertise all jobs, at all levels, on a flexible and part-time basis “unless there is a genuine business reason why this isn’t possible”.
Employees will also be allowed to make two such requests within a year, reflecting changes in their position, working patterns or personal circumstances. Employers will be compelled to consult with the employee before rejecting a request, and respond within two months of receiving the proposal, down from the current three.
The changes aim to create more dialogue between workers and employers and remove the onus on individuals to rationalise the impact of their proposals on the employer, and to minimise the potential of employment tribunals by emphasising mutually beneficial solutions to both parties.
The bill goes to Royal Assent next week and has been supported by a collection of campaigning groups including the Trades Union Congress, Working Families, the Fawcett Society, Maternity Action, Flex Appeal and Pregnant Then Screwed.
