Extension to flexible working rights for parents

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced that parents will benefit from extended rights to request flexible working.

From 18 July 2010, the right to request flexible working will be extended to cover working parents of children aged 16 and under. The right is already available to parents of children under six, disabled children under 18 and carers of adult dependants. Under the right, an employee with six months’ continuous service with their employer can make a formal request for flexible working. The employer must consider the request carefully and can turn it down only where there is a valid business reason.