New rules on flexible working being introduced following the Employment Act 2002 could make women less employable according to the results of a poll carried out by Croner.
Under the regulations – which take effect on April 6, 2003 – eligible parents of children under six years of age will have the legal right to request more flexible working arrangements. Employers must seriously consider such requests and can only refuse if they can demonstrate that the arrangement would have a detrimental affect on their business.
HR professionals were asked the question: “Do you think the forthcoming flexible working regulations will make employers think twice when recruiting women?” Some 60% of those responding to the Croner website survey believe that employers are likely to think twice when recruiting women as a result of the changes.
Croner recommends seven steps to the process:
Other legislation taking effect at the same time, under the terms of the Employment Act 2002, includes an increase in Ordinary Maternity Leave from 18 to 26 weeks and an increase in Statutory Maternity Pay from £75 to £100 per week.
Meanwhile, a new right to adoption leave “which mirrors the enhanced maternity leave provisions” is being introduced and, for the first time, there will be two weeks’ paid paternity leave for qualifying employees.
