New Flexible Working Regulations to be Extended?

Anonymous

Flexible working remains very difficult to encompass in areas such as production, where shift patterns and machine process times are not always accomodating. However, every employer should look to making arrangements for flexibility wherever possible, and requests centered around the needs of children, of all ages, should be considered wherever possible, by any responsible employer.

Anonymous

Another nail in the coffin of British Manufacturing Industry. And you wonder why manufacturers are going to Eastern Europe and the far east. For those who work in the civil service or banks/insurance companies, it doesn't matter..its not their money that is being wasted, its ours!

Anonymous

Many men need to make use of the flexibility offered, in terms of school 'deliveries' and 'pick-ups' for their children, particularly where young children are concerned, and one resides in a rural/poorly provided public transport area. My previous four employers have always offered the maximum possible flexibility over the past 16 years, and in turn this is reciprocated in so many ways to the mutual advantage of both parties; indeed it goes a long way to fostering good work/employee relations and loyalty, and comes well above the remuneration/financial packages in the priority list of requirements for any career move. Of course, it is horses for courses, and it has to be recognized that there are many positions where team working/production line approach and critical path analyses prevents such flexibility. However this should not be used as an excuse by employers where this is not a factor, and where, with some minor adaptation of current working practices, a more flexible approach can be adopted. Of course there will always be the minority who might abuse such benefits, but this should not be used as an excuse to not offer flexibility to the remainder of staff. Try it, you might be surprised by the outcome !

Anonymous

Flexible working should not revolve around children, afterall they are not employed! If we are going down this route flexible working should be open to everyone provided it can be accommodated by the employer. If it does not make good business sense, children or no children, it should not be pursued. Why do some workers who choose to have children (and yes I do have one)assume everything should then be changed to suit them. They are your children and your responsibility not your employers! I am with Armistead on this - why drag us down further whilst at the same time opening the doors for Europe to take over. We will end up a nation of dole quequers, whilst the rest of Europe prosper.

Anonymous

Having children may be a choice but the future customer base of manufacturers would certainly shrink if we didn't have them! All companies should be more flexible, instead of whinging about new regulations and flexible working, we should be exercising our brains on how to turn it into an opportunity! If staff want to work term time only they get paid for term time only. Use the rest of the money saved on employing someone who wants to get away from children. We really need to shake ourselves up and look to the future instead of dwelling on the good old days of Dikensian work practices.

Anonymous

Why should those workers without children be penalised by not having the flexibility they would be offered if they had a child? Many of us would benefit from flexibility of working hours, not just for child-related activities. We should not discriminate against tthe childless - what happened to equal opportunities?
I would favour more flexibility for all. However, rather than having special rules to suit them, if people choose to have children and want to continue working they must take responsibilty for those choices and ensure their children don't suffer.

Anonymous

This is not a comment for or against specifically but it makes you wonder how our parents coped without such opportunities and whether any of the older generation (me included) suffered unduly as a result of having parents who had to work to provide. There is also a reasoned argument for not discriminating against people who choose not to have children (or cannot for biological reasons) but do not have the opportunity for flexible working, child benefits, etc.

Anonymous

I agree with Dave Woollcotts comments and those of Anon 8th May concerning flexible working. I do feel it is discriminating against people without children or those who are unable to conceive. I am single and needed time to look after my elderly mother a few years ago which I wanted to do by choice. I only worked for a small company and they were not at all sympathetic since they maintained they could not provide cover. I ended up having to juggle both jobs that of carer and that of employee.

Anonymous

Why is it that as soon as someone says treat everyone fairly, with or without children, we are accused of advocating Dickensian work practices! How utterly bizzare of M Brown to assume employers and workmates want to assist with the upbringing of his/her children! That is what we are talking about, not whether or not to actually have children.

Anonymous

Family friendly policies flexi-time, part-time, Term-time and career breaks, all are advantages to employers as well as employees, fostering loyalty amongst staff and higher morale this results in greater productivity. There is a shortage of key staff in many sectors, FFPs help. The argument that we will loose out to Europe is nonsense the rest of Europe have implemented these policies while the UK struggled with a massive public spending bill, keeping lone parents at home

Anonymous

David Woollacott said it all - I completely agree with all those who feel aggrieved that we should all have to 'help' in raising others' children - I know many who would like to work more flexibly but do not (or choose not to) have children to whom this option is denied.

Anonymous

What happened to equal opportunities. I am single and like all single people
we get no Tax breaks/allowances or benefits although we pay as much or even more tax than a married person (including tax towards children) So now we are being discrimanted against by not being allowed to pick and choose our working hours, let alone be allowed to take paid time to say, look after someone who is ill, as is the case for men and women for maternity reasons. How come my parents managed when money and times were hard they just got on with it.
The word NANNY state springs to mind as that is what it seems to me all parents want.

Anonymous

In a busy environment, flexible working for all is not always an option. Those of us who do no have children, (and I myself have), are right to raise the issue of the same rights for carers. These should always be considered whether or not current legislation provides for it. However, the same rights for everyone across the board seems to me to be a can or worms best left undisturbed. Let's see this as a step in the right direction, and now address the next issue of carers.

Anonymous

With today's technology, we should all be offered the opportunity to work flexibly. Look at the savings which could be made in the professional services sector... we don't all need a desk, and we certainly do not need to be in the office 5 days a week. In fact, with open plan workspace more predominent, productivity is increased when employees work from home. AND, just think about it, we'll be lightening the load on London's Transport infrastructure!

Anonymous

My previous comments were not simply advocating flexibility for child care purposes, but simply wishing to reflect the fact that it is a two way street, and many benefits can also accrue to employers. Flexibility can be exercised in so many ways by businesses, and could significantly enlarge their labour pool. Flexibility (without compulsion)also shows an adaptable forward thinking employer, it can have environmental advantages (spreading rush hour traffic flows over a longer but less congested travel periods with consequential business benefits etc to name but one.) Lets avoid the "nimbyism" approach just because someone doesn't have children and will not personally benefit - I fully support flexibility for much wider purposes, and for many businesses this may be a first step towards that. I was only initially prompted to comment because (without intending to be sexist), it is so often the mothers that take the flack on such issues!This is far too broad a subject and one for which a much wider and fuller treatise could be offered. But not from me !