Mums and dads want flexible working hours

Family-friendly working hours is now a key item on most union bargaining agendas, ranking equally as important to the majority of workers as the traditional mainstays of extra pay and more holidays, according to the leader of one of the UK's biggest trade unions.

Usdaw General Secretary Sir Bill Connor was commenting in the wake of two new surveys. One survey revealed that over 50 per cent of UK mothers have either asked or plan to ask to work flexibly. This follows the introduction of new regulations in April 2003 that gave parents of children aged under six a legal right to request flexible working (see notes to editors). The second survey showed that three in every four workers now puts family friendly working hours ahead of other benefits.

Usdaw, the UK's fifth largest trade union, is urging its members to make themselves fully aware of their rights to request changes to hours for family reasons.

Sir Bill Connor said: "Employers are gradually recognising that staff can work equally well and efficiently if given a little leeway to care for children and dependents. This issue is gaining momentum for Usdaw members. Demands for more flexible working hours are nowadays one of the first items on the bargaining agenda when Usdaw meets with employers to improve workers' terms and conditions."

For Usdaw's women members - who account for around two-thirds of the union's total membership of over 330,000 - an equally important issue is maternity rights. Later this year, Usdaw is holding a series of training courses to bring workplace reps fully up-to-date on this issue. Confirmed venues so far include Milton Keynes, Bury St Edmunds, London, Kegworth, Leeds, Worthing, Warrington and Cardiff. More information is available from Usdaw's Women and Equalities section, Tel: 0161-224 2804.

Usdaw carried out a survey of members in 2003 that revealed 65 per cent of mums, dads and carers felt juggling the demands of work with bringing up a child or caring for dependents had got harder over the previous three years. Many had experienced problems with getting time off when their child was ill. Others said they were not able to afford to take parental leave as it is unpaid.

Usdaw produces advice leaflets and information packs on both flexible working and maternity rights. These can be viewed, printed and downloaded free of charge.

Notes to editors

• Since April 2003, parents of children aged under six (or under 18 if the child is disabled) have had the right to ask for flexible working. Employers are not compelled to approve the request, but there are formal procedures that must be followed before they can refuse it.

• The two surveys quoted in the press release are: 1) A study of 800 women carried out for Prima Baby magazine in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry's "Work-Life Balance" campaign; 2) A survey by the charity Working Families.

• Most of Usdaw's members are shopworkers, but the union also has many members in other industries including call centres, road transport, home shopping, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, butchers and meat packers. Around two-thirds of Usdaw's members are women.

• Usdaw is the UK's fifth largest trade union with over 330,000 members. More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/equality/news/1077800923_15880.html
Last Modified: Tuesday, 01-Jun-2004 13:10:49 EST
Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online
Site Credits