FLEXIBLE WORKING

Early day motion 1218, tabled 27 March 2007 by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 39 members.

That this House notes that employers are currently only obliged to consider flexible working requests from parents who have a child under the age of six years or a disabled child under the age of 18 years; further notes that parents, particularly mothers, can be forced to give up work as it is not flexible enough to be compatible with their childcare responsibility, which adds to gender economic inequality; acknowledges the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) research which shows that children benefit when parents are around more, particularly during periods of transition or at exam times; is aware that more fathers want to be involved in the care of their children; is conscious of further DTI research which shows that many employers reject certain requests for flexible working, particularly those from managerial employees; notes with concern that over a third of parents currently eligible are unaware of their entitlements; and calls for the right to request flexible working to be extended to parents of all children under 18 years and for greater awareness to be raised.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 28, Labour 9, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.