Working parents who gained the new right to apply for flexible working that came into force in April, are failing to take hold of the chances given them, suggest new figures.
The Klegal survey of 25 firms employing 125,000 people, claims that these employers only received 97 requests for flexible hours – suggesting that around one in 1300 applied although around one in seven in the UK is eligible.
In firms where applications had been made, the most common request was a reduction in working hours. Around 30% of requests had been made by men, and around 40% of requests were granted by the employer without any modification, claims the report.
Just under three in ten (28%) reported that the introduction of flexible hours had improved staff relations and as a result, retention, while 12% said it had has no effect and the remainder had given no view.
Commenting on the findings, Colina Greenway, director in People Services at KLegal, said: “The general feeling among employers seems to be that take up will grow but it requires a change in mindset for employees as well as employers and will take time. By contrast, we have received anecdotal reports that take up of the new right to paternity leave, which was introduced at the same time, has been strong. It is encouraging to see that many employers believe the introduction of the rights has had a positive effect on staff recruitment, retention and morale.”
