Implementing the Recommendations of Imelda Walsh's Independent Review
Amending and Extending the Right to Request Flexible Working to Parents of Older Children
We have drafted a response to the Government’s consultation about the practical implementation of extending the right to request flexible working.
Currently, the right is available to working parents of children upto age 6 or disabled children upto age 18. Earlier this year, the Government accepted the recommendations arising out of an independent review (The Walsh Review) to extend the right to parents of children upto age 16.
The Government planned to introduce the extension in April 2009, however, recently it has decided to put the changes on hold in view of the current economic climate and potential regulatory impact on business.
We believe that flexible working is vital to a modern economy preparing for the turbulent times ahead and that flexible working should be seen not as a business cost but a business opportunity. We have made a number of recommendations calling for Government to provide support and information for businesses to implement flexible working, particularly for smaller businesses.
You can read the consultation document published by BERR: Consultation on implementing the recommendations of Imelda Walsh's review - Amending and Extending the Right to Request Flexible Working to Parents of Older Children
Last Updated: 02 Jul 2009