Burstow supports flexible working for families.

12.01.00am GMT Tue 17th Apr 2007

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, is calling on local residents sign a Flexible Working Petition launched by Lib Dem Equality Spokesperson Lorely Burt. The petition - which was launched alongside a bill which has been placed before parliament - calls on the government to extend current legislation to allow all parents with children under 18 to request flexible working hours.

Currently parents only have the right to make a flexible working request if their child is under the age of six. Flexible working hours help to allow both parents to spend more time with their children and enable more mothers to stay in full time employment.

Research has shown that in offices where flexible working is introduced staff recruitment and retention is improved and sick leave due to stress and absence due to child care are reduced. Studies show that small businesses can save up to £250,000 by using flexible working policies.

Speaking on the petition and her Bill Lorely Burt MP said;

"There are too many women in jobs beneath their skill level. The right to request flexible working should ensure that business does not lose out on women's talent and also allow women to fulfil their potential."

Commenting on the petition, Paul Burstow MP added:

"It is important that we establish an environment where children can be supported and spend quality time with their parents, flexible working hours can enable this"

"This Bill makes a clear statement that it is time to move away from redundant patterns of employment dictating peoples work and family life"

"Flexible working hours support the family, they benefit business and they extend equal opportunities to both sexes - for this they must be supported"

Notes to Editors:

• To add your name to the petition please visit: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/flexibleworking

• The petition reads as follows: We the undersigned call for the Government to extend the right to flexible working to all parents with children under 18 and call for the Government to do more to raise awareness of their rights.

• Currently parents only have the right to request flexible working if they have a child under the age of 6 or, from April 2007, if they have a disabled child under 18. Such a request can only be turned down if the employer presents a valid business case.

• The Flexible Working Bill calls for the extension of the right to request to all parents with children under the age of 18; for greater awareness to be raised of these rights; and for a full impact assessment to be carried out following the introduction of these changes to investigate the possibility of extending the right to request flexible working to all.

• Additional information on the advantages of flexible working; see http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/flexibleworkinginfo

Exerts:

DTI research in 2000 found that some small businesses saved up to £250,000 through reducing staff turnover, simply by using flexible working policies: Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) (2005b) Women in the IT industry. Towards a business case for diversity. Interim report. London: HMSO.

Flexible working not only improves recruitment and retention, but reduces absences caused by child care necessity and reduces sick leave through reducing stress. The CBI estimates that absence cost £13 billion in 2005 [3]. 66% of organisations responding to a Work Foundation survey in 2002, said that they found flexible working helped reduce absenteeism The Work Foundation (2002) Managing Best practice No 96: Maximizing Attendance. London: The Work Foundation