emplaw.co.uk employment law web updater summary 27 August 2008

Summary Information : Extension of flexible working start date to be April 2009 - BERR 26.8.08 The government announced proposals in May 2008 to increase to age 16 (from, normally, age 6) the age of children whose parents will have the legal right to request flexible working. This consultation document discusses implementation. It states (at para 27) that implementation is now planned for April 2009. Consultation ends 18th November 2009. A further change will be removal of the obligation on an employer (currently often not observed) to give written notice to an employee of agreement to flexible working arrangements (the obligation to write will NOT be removed if the employer has refused a flexible working request). Business had pressed for the new rules not to come into force until late 2009 or 2010. The FT reports the early introduction as a "victory for unions over employers" (FT 26.8.08). See also BERR Press Release 26.8.08 - Government consults on flexible working. See related topic on emplaw.co.uk: (subscribers); or here (non-subscribers) To continue to full item click here