News

The government will explore ways to make dealing with flexible working requests easier for businesses, as part of a consultation published today (26 August).

The consultation follows on from the government's announcement that it would extend the right to request flexible working to parents with children who are 16 and under.

Employment relations minister, Pat McFadden, said the consultation would seek views from businesses and suggest ways to reduce paperwork involved with flexible working.

"The right to request flexible working has worked well because it helps employees to balance their home and work lives, but at the same time gives employers the right to say no where there are legitimate business concerns," McFadden said.

"Parenting requirements don't end as children get older. We think it is right to extend this successful scheme and help parents of older children access the flexibility they need."

The consultation will also consider ways to raise awareness of the right to request flexible working among employees and to boost knowledge of the range of free tools available to make dealing with requests quicker and simpler for businesses.

The consultation will involve employer and employee representatives, parents, unions, business and family organisations.

The consultation document is available here.