Should you grant flexible working to your employees?
Posted 15 May 2008 at 12:00PM by Ian Betteridge in Connecting to the Internet
The government has announced plans to grant the right to request flexible working to all employees with children under the age of 16, which is a major extension of the scheme. Although under the existing rules employers have granted nine out of ten requests, bodies such as the Federation of Small Businesses have already warned that the new law may prove "a nightmare for small firms".
What's worth remembering is that, as with the previous rules, the right is only to request flexible working, not to be granted it. Employers must consider an application properly - a blanket "no" would be illegal - and respond in a timely manner. And it's worth remembering that flexible working can be a benefit for employers, too.
We have produced a simple guide to flexible working and the law, aimed at both employers and employees, which explains the procedure in detail - click here for more. And if you want to know how technology can help implement flexible working, download our free guide here.
Tags: bt, bt broadbandoffice, flexible working
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Comments
2. At May 15, 2008 11:17 PM, Franchise Whale wrote:
Really enjoyed it, I wanted to click out and
you kept pulling me back in! Many thanks
and keep up the great work!
3. At May 17, 2008 7:29 AM, The Big Show wrote:
James, you seem to have missed certain key aspects of this legislation. For a start, companies aren't obliged to give flexi-time, but just to consider the employee's proposal. Therefore, if there's no way of granting it without adversely affecting your business, you don't have too.
Big Show supports this.
4. At May 19, 2008 9:49 PM, John wrote:
Great News....but wait a minute,I dont have Kids but would love to be able to ask for flexi-time,isn't this a bit "Discriminating". Have kids by all means but don't expect to be given special treatment.
5. At May 20, 2008 9:12 AM, The Big Show wrote:
If you don't have kids you probably don't need flexi-time. It's not discriminating. It's the government putting more importance on having children than on badminton classes, or whatever it is that would stop you working when your employer wants you to.
That said, my employers are excellent when it comes to flexi-time. Just recently I took upwards of a year off work to lose some weight and attempt to become a boxer. Good times.
6. At May 20, 2008 10:51 PM, James wrote:
"The Big Show - What a show who ever you are " ??? - We work 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week - 365 days a year. You may ask for flexible working but you wont get it - So dont ask.
If you have lots of kids, then it is your problem not mine. As a small business I cannot afford to take on passengers.
So just, dont ask !!!!
7. At May 22, 2008 1:49 PM, Dawn wrote:
I agree with John,Flexi-time should be available to all, not just parents. It can be useful for small businesses though, my boss lets me work flexible hours so when the office is busy I will put in the hours, and when it's quiet I can escape early to ride my horse. Everybody wins !!
8. At May 23, 2008 8:27 AM, The B()rg wrote:
For once we agree with the lifeform James. However we feel that if parent's get flexi time then so should those who have badminton classes, or even just like to work different hours should also get flexi time. James is a little more hardline than we are, but this will just result in big companies giving out time specific contracts to non flexi workers i.e. Only ever 9-5 for me, whenever you want for the guy/girl on the team with kids! - We feel this is unacceptable!
Resistance is futile,
The B()rg
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1. At May 15, 2008 9:22 PM, James wrote: