All parents with children under 16 were to be given the right to request flexible working from next April, once they have been in a job for six months (News, 22 May 2008). Currently, only parents of children under six have the right to request flexible working.
However, newspaper reports on Monday alleged that Lord Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business, had ordered the extension of flexible working to be postponed. Other proposals that may be delayed include extending paid maternity leave from 39 to 52 weeks, and creating an extra bank holiday.
A spokesperson from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said, 'The Government is absolutely focused on helping business, particularly small business, to cope with the current economic downturn. As well as cashflow and access to finance, we are looking at the appropriateness of new employment regulations that are due to come into force.'
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