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Flexibility for all parents
12 May 2008
Usdaw has called on the Government to extend the right to request flexible working and make it available to all parents.
General secretary John Hannett presented the union's evidence, with working parents Jo Downes and Alan Bowles, to the Government's review of the current arrangements in London in March.
"Since 2003 parents of children under six and parents of disabled children under 18 can apply to work flexibly," said John Hannett. "This was extended last year to include working carers of elderly and disabled adults.
"These changes have proved a huge success and we believe there is a good business case to allow all parents to have access to this important right.
"Our members made it clear at the consultation meeting that their needs as a parent do not end when a child reaches six. Needs change as your child goes through school and you have to be there for them.
"Our members consistently tell us that working time is a major issue for them and they need help to balance their working lives with their home life. Being able to work flexibly is often the difference from being able to take a job or being stuck on benefits.
"For individuals, access to work is the best route out of poverty. For business, offering flexible hours significantly increases the pool of talent they can recruit from and helps companies retain staff when their home circumstances change."
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