Employers are being advised to monitor the uptake of
flexible working to ensure that rights intended to help parents
combine work and home responsibilities are being applied
fairly.
Alexandra Jones, policy specialist at The Work Foundation, said,
"By relying on individuals to request flexible working, there is a
risk that only a select few will take advantage. Valued employees
with specialist skills may be confident about approaching their
managers and building a business case, but many individuals will
not feel able to do so.
"By monitoring flexible working decisions over time, employers gain
a better insight into take-up by gender, role and the type of
flexibility requested."
The Work Foundation's research shows that even among firms with a
greater awareness of flexible working, only about 33% have a formal
policy. It recommended that firms introduce formal policies or
modernise existing guidelines to ensure they are transparent and
fair.
It also discovered that while 65% of firms offer paternity leave,
men often do not take it because of a fear of discrimination. It
said the right to request such benefits only goes some way in
tackling fundamental culture problems.
However, the right to request flexible working arrangements does
not belong exclusively to parents. Any employees, including those
caring for the elderly, can request flexible working under new
legislation that came into force last month.
The research confirms that flexible working policies also help
reduce absence rates - flexible workers who take emergency leave
have no need to call in sick.