Right To Ask For Flexible Working.....

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28078690
So what's new, anyone can always ask for anything, doesn't mean it will be granted, so what's new here? "Dear megabank, please may I work flexible hours?" - "Dear employee, no!" - did I miss something?

[jno]

depends whether the employers want everyone in the same building at the same time (eg for a car production line) or might actually like someone working odd hours (eg megabank wanting someone to trade yen at 3am). If workers are free to ask for the odd hours it might reduce objections from unions too.

Though I see what you're getting at. A right to ask doesn't imply a right to get a useful answer.

[mccfluff]

what new - is that is applies to everyone, it used to be just for working parents

but it is pretty ineffective, yes you can ask but we don't have to give it to you

[237SJ]

I think the point is that the request has to be considered rather than a blanket "No" being given in response.

[boxtops]

I agree - there has to be a good business reason for declining the request. Not just "we don't do it like that round here".

[mikey4444]

TTT..I am with you here. If an employer can say no, b*gger off....well they can say that now.

[youngmafbog]

More nonsense sound bites instead of getting on with something useful - like telling the EU to nob off.

[New Judge]

The significance of today's announcement is that employers will now have to give equal consideration to all requests for flexible working whereas previously they need only have listened to requests from those with carer of childcare responsibilities. Further, they cannot prioritise such requests in favour of those with carer or childcare responsibilities - all requests must be given equal weight.

It is a solution to a ridiculous problem created by the original rules which meant that people with responsibilities were treated more favourably than those without - for every person working "child friendly" hours some other poor sod had to pick up the child unfriendly hours.

In fact the government needs to wake up to the fact that businesses exist for the benefit of their customers and shareholders, not their staff. If the boss wants you in from 9 till 5 then that's what the boss should get, not some wishy washy accommodation that allows people to clear off at 2:45pm to do the school run.

By the way, 3Ts, I didn't know you worked for Megabank. Do you know Rupert Stirling, Alex Masterly and his mate Clive??? :-)

[237SJ]

NJ - so in essence, the new regulations will prevent discrimination towards single, childless, non-carers in the workplace. There is a school of thought that would say "About time too" :-)

[New Judge]

Yes, exactly so, 237. And yes again - about time.

I've not been in the position myself but it must be infuriating for people without responsibilities to be told "sorry, we can't let you go home at 3:00pm to watch the tennis (or the football, or just to have a rest) because we've already got four people in your section off early to do the school run".

Of course the way to have avoided this situation developing was not to have introduced the ridiculous "right to ask" for the favoured few in the first place.

[ToraToraTora]

yes judge, I know them!