The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is consulting on proposals to reform flexible working regulations.
We are working with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to ensure the thoughts of employers are heard.
In particular, we want to hear thoughts on these questions:
- Should employees be allowed to request flexible working from day one of their employment (currently six months)?
- Is the maximum period allowed for an employer to respond to a request the right length (currently 3 months)?
- If request is refused how often should an employee be able to keep requesting?
- If refusing a request, should the employer come back with an alternative offer?
- Are the eight reasons for refusing a flexible working request adequate?
- burden of additional costs
- inability to reorganise work amongst existing staff
- inability to recruit additional staff
- detrimental impact on quality
- detrimental impact on performance
- detrimental effect on ability to customer demand
- insufficient work for periods the employee proposes to work
- planned structural changes to the business
The BCC is holding a roundtable discussion including Chambers and Chamber members on Wednesday 10th November at 1:30pm. This session will help the BCC produce a thorough response to the consultation.
If you would like to contribute to the session please get in touch and, if available, you may be able to attend the call. Alternatively you can forward your thoughts to the above questions.
Please contact geoffm@lancschamber.co.uk with your thoughts on the proposals or to request to join the BCC call.
