How flexible are you, asks Sarah Johnson
Although fathers have the right to request flexible working, many feel reluctant to do so because of the stigma attached, according to the deputy prime minister recently. He added that current rules are based on a view of life in which mothers stay at home and fathers are the only breadwinners. Planned consultation will consider both a truly flexible system of shared parental leave the government aims to introduce in 2015 and extending the right to request flexible working to all employees.
More immediate changes are also due. Certain carers of adults and of children under 17 currently have rights to request flexible working. These rights will be extended to carers of children under 18 from April 2011.
In addition, paternity rights are being enhanced. Currently, statutory paternity leave is limited to at most two weeks’ paid leave within 56 days of a child’s birth or placement for adoption. Parents of children whose expected week of birth begins, or who are matched for adoption, on or after 3rd
