As the law stands, employees have certain rights to paid time off for the care of a dependent. In addition, working parents with children under the age of six also have a statutory right to request changes to their working hours in order to fit in with their domestic responsibilities.
These measures were introduced under what the Government labelled ‘family friendly' policies.
Now, Labour has announced that if it wins a historic third term, then it will extend those ‘family friendly' policies.
Actively under consideration are:
- Measures to extend the age of children for which parents can request flexible hours from five to 17.
- Introduce extended paternity leave from two weeks to six months.
- The introduction of granny leave giving sons or daughters the right to flexible working hours in order to look after ailing parents.
- The introduction of one year's paid maternity leave. At present, although female employees are entitled to up to a year's absence, only a maximum of six months of this is required to be paid by law.
Whilst there is a long way to go before any proposals reach the statute book, business leaders reacted with dismay at the proposals. Digby Jones, director-general of the Confederation of Business Industry said “we will shoot ourselves in the foot by damaging the ability of companies to generate wealth in employment”. However, Trade Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, said “flexibility at work would be a vote winner”. With about a year to go before the next election, battle lines have already been drawn. |
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