New employment right comes into effect 1 July

A new employment right to request flexible working arrangements comes into effect on 1 July 2008, as a result of a members Bill from Green Party MP Sue Kedgley.

As of 1 July any employee with responsibilities for caring for dependants will have the right to request flexible working arrangements. Employers will have a statutory duty to consider any such request seriously and seek to accommodate it in good faith.

The Flexible Working Hours coalition is hosting a breakfast next Tuesday to celebrate the new employment right. Ms Kedgley, Minister Ruth Dyson and members of the Coalition will speak and Miranda Harcourt will MC.

“Once the new right comes into force on 1 July, an employee can ask for a change to their start and finish times, adjust their work hours, work 'compressed hours,' seek to work from home, or any other flexible arrangement that will enable them to better juggle to competing demands of paid employment and domestic care” Ms Kedgley says.

This new right is good news, not only for employees and employers, but also for children, families, older persons and anyone else requiring care.

Research shows that when employees have more control over their working hours they are likely to be more motivated and productive, and there will be less absenteeism, staff turnover, and stress related illness.

Ms Kedgley says she hopes the new right would result in a more flexible working hours culture, which would benefit employers as well as employees. She also hopes the new right will be extended to all employees when the legislation is reviewed in two years time.