As of 6th April 2003, parents of children under 6, and parents with disabled children under 18, have the legal right to get their employer to consider flexible ways of working.
New mothers can now take 6 months paid maternity leave, with another 6 months unpaid if they want it, and new fathers get 2 weeks paid paternity leave for the first time.
Yesterday also saw the introduction of equal pay questionnaires.
Where an employee believes that a colleague of the opposite sex is being paid more for doing the same work or work of equal value, he or she can demand pay information from the employer. The employer must respond within 8 weeks. Other perks, such as extra holidays or a bonus for one employee, will be considered as part of the pay.
The Government hopes this rule will reduce claims to employment tribunals. However, it is also likely to result in a rise in pay claims on the ground of sex discrimination.
Both sets of rules were introduced by the Employment Act 2002. See the text of the Act.
More information on the flexible working rights.
Details of a DTI survey, which suggests that 9 in 10 bosses say flexible working is low cost and good for business.
