http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7679802.stm
Peter Mandelson, newly refurbished member of Brown’s inner sanctum, has decided to ‘review’ plans to extend the flexible working laws to all parents of children up to the age of 16.
Currently the right to request a change in how you work only applies to those with pre-school or disabled children.
The right to request flexible working is a lovely piece of legislation that more-or-less puts common sense on the statute books.
It means people can ask their bosses to consider letting them adjust how they work to fit in with their families. The company still has the right to say no.
Before that section of the community that reckons children – and their mothers should neither be seen nor heard yells ‘right on Mandy’ or something, please pause for a moment.
If a worker’s hours are reduced – so is their pay.
It’s never a request made on a whim – once flexible working is instated it can’t be reversed.
You can bet your last penny on the fact that the most efficient person in any workplace is the parent rushing to leave to meet their child from school. They won’t be dawdling by the coffee machine or dithering with a delivery.
So companies could spend less to have happier, more efficient staff.
Seems like a good idea, doesn’t it?