ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the Liberal Democrats parliamentary campaign to extend the right to request flexible working to all parents with children under the age of 18.

Party Response: Liberal Democrats

Lib Dem MP Lorely Burt said: "The lack of flexible working lies at the very heart of economic inequality between men and women.

"All too often mothers are forced to accept poorly paid part-time work, or give it up entirely, in order to fulfil their child caring role.

"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."

Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesman Susan Kramer said: "Flexible working can be very good for business, it can reduce absenteeism, increase recruitment and retention, and reduce stress.

"Flexible working can increase staff well-being which in turn improves customer service and satisfaction.

"Fears that flexible working rights will damage business are unwarranted. A request can be turned down if a valid business case is presented.

"A Liberal Democrat government would conduct a small business impact assessment before introducing legislation to ensure that such businesses are not compromised by unreasonable rules."

Stakeholder Response: Federation of Small Businesses

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The FSB said: "Small businesses are the original flexible employers. 

"Employees usually have daily contact with the business owner who will normally know a significant amount about employee’s circumstances and consequently small business owners have traditionally been flexible around childcare in a way that is reciprocally convenient.

"Flexible working is a clear case of where business practice is already ahead of legislation and thus there is no requirement for further legislation.

"Each amendment to the legislation adds another regulatory layer for small businesses to deal with when they were largely fulfilling the objectives without the need for paperwork. 

"The FSB have concerns that such legislation will remove the possibility of such natural reciprocal flexibility by imposing rigid regulation which most small businesses will be very vulnerable to the impact of."

Stakeholder Response: CIPD

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cipd told ePolitix: "The government's existing flexible working laws have been warmly welcomed by employees. 

"Our research shows that extending the flexible working right to all workers is deemed to be neither onerous nor costly for employers because its light-touch nature promotes dialogue between employers and employees that serves to meets both parties' needs. 

"We believe that the Lib Dems should go one step further and give the right to request flexible working to all employees"

Stakeholder Response: AMICUS

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Amicus told ePolitix: "Amicus’ position is that the flexible working regulations should be extended to all workers and that there should be a right to challenge an employer’s refusal to work flexibly in an employment tribunal.

"This would allow more employees to work flexibly and play a key role in changing the long-working hours’ culture.   Amicus welcomed the fact that the Women and Work Commission recommended that the flexible working regulations should be extended to larger groups of workers.

"Amicus supports the extending of the right to request flexible working to carers of sick and disabled relatives introduced this year but are disappointed that the government has not extended the right to all workers and, at the very least, parents of older children. 

"To achieve equality in the home and workplace men and women must be able to have real choices. 

"Once of the ways of achieving this is through better work-life balance for all employees.

"A survey by Amicus in 2003 found that 75% of respondents stated that their working hours had a negative impact on other aspects of their lives.

"The organisation of work remains routed in the 1950s model of the full-time working father and the mother taking responsibility for domestic work and caring responsibilities. 

"This is despite the fact that 70% of women now work. 

"The most common model for working families in the UK is where both parents work, often one full-time and the other part-time.  

"The right to request flexible working needs to be extended to all workers if we are to recognise the needs of the 21st century workforce."