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 CIPD PRESS RELEASE 21 October, 2008
Delays in flexible working legislation send out
completely the wrong message, and will do more
harm than good
Plans to delay the implementation of legislation
to extend the right to request flexible working
to the parents of older children send out
completely the wrong message, and risk doing
more harm than good to UK competitiveness, according
to Jackie Orme, Chief Executive of the Chartered
Institute of Personnel and Development.
Responding to reports that Lord Mandelson has
ordered a delay in the implementation of the
extension, Jackie Orme said:
"These reports send out completely the wrong
message. They assume that flexible working is
a burden on business, and the kind of charitable
extra that can be cut back in tougher times. The
reality is that flexible working can deliver
competitive advantage by improving employee
engagement and attracting talented people to
organisations that otherwise might remain
outside the workforce.
"The existing right to request flexible working
is a model example of light-touch regulation
that has helped to change attitudes without
causing difficulties for businesses. Our
research shows that many firms, large and
small, are going well beyond the existing
regulations in any case - extending flexible
working to many more employees than required by
law. They recognise the positive impact
flexible working policies have on their
businesses. But the message sent out by a
delay to 'reduce burdens' on business will
damage efforts to make the substantial business
case for flexible working.
"Our research shows that part-time and flexible
workers are happier, more engaged with their
work, and therefore more likely to perform
better and be more productive. This is exactly
what hard pressed employers need in tougher
times.
"These proposals are also spectacularly ill-timed
for hardworking families struggling to balance
work and family responsibilities, and plan
budgets that include substantial childcare
costs."
Notes to editors:
* Jackie Orme is available for interview
* Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)
and the British chambers of Commerce (BCC) research
into flexible working, Flexible Working: Good Business, is
available to download on the CIPD website as well as
a fact sheet, Flexible Working
* The Chartered Institute of Personnel and
Development (CIPD) has over 130,000 members
and is the leading professional institute for
those involved in the management and
development of people
CIPD press enquiries:
Rob Blevin / Gregor Ridley
CIPD Press Office
151 The Broadway, London SW19 1JQ
020 8612 6400
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