Workers to be able to request flexible hours under new plans

[MARTIN3030]

http://news.sky.com/story/1010626/workers-to-be-able-to-ask-for-flexible-hours

[Conniff]

So is it to be law that they can 'have' flexible hours or just that they can 'ask' for it. What a load of bunk, no wonder the Libdems have never been or never will be in power.

 

A lot of businesses aren't suitable for flexible working, so are they to be penalised if they say no.

This is just more legislation forcing employers to think twice about hiring women of child bearing age.

[Sidewinder]

Agreed. More nonsense, unworkable legislation.

[Nystagmite]

So is it to be law that they can 'have' flexible hours or just that they can 'ask' for it.

 

Isn't this the case now? You can ask; but they can refuse.

[dmlferguson]

Same Same as I like to say. It gives 'others' without firsthand childcare responsibilities, such as grandparents, more rights to apply. This legislation just doesn't work, so whats the point. If a company wants to be helpful they will, doesn't matter about the legislation.

[MARTIN3030]

I was wondering if this has come from a EU directive ?

 

The timing of the announcement seems to fit with something I found when searching.

 

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/areas/industrialrelations/dictionary/definitions/WORKINGTIME.htm

 

In November 2011, the EU-level social partners indicated that they would enter into talks to revise the Directive. Under the process provided for by Article 155 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), they have nine months in which to negotiate an agreement.

 

9 months from November 2011 would have been August.

+ 3 months to mull over before announcing it.