Proposed changes to flexible working, and flexible parental leave - what do you think?

[KateMumsnet]

Hello

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills have asked if we'd like to contribute to their Modern Workplaces Consultation, which contains proposals for changes to flexible working and flexible parental leave (as well as updates to equal pay, and to working time regulation).

Possibly the most significant of the proposed changes concern statutory maternity pay (or maternity allowance), and maternity leave - the idea is that the existing system would be partly replaced with a statutory parental pay and parental leave allowance, to be taken by either parent. Have a quick look at the executive summary for the detail.

You can let the government know what you think about these proposed changes by filling out their surveys on flexible parental leave, and flexible working. Do also post your thoughts here on the thread - we'll be passing it forward to BIS on Monday 8th August, when the consultation closes.

Andrew, that's an impressive piece of reverse logic there. But I'm sure you actually understand that removing discrimination against women does not equal discriminating against men.

I do agree with you, though, that flexible working should be available to non-parents too, as long as there is a valid reason, such as studying or volunteering. Not convinced the current government would go for it though, the Tories tend not to be terribly in favour of extending workers' rights. Can you imagine the belly-aching from the CBI?

Edam, andrew is quite correct that failure to allow the same rights to a section of the workforce which is predominantly male, would indeed constitute sexual discrimination.