Rule changes may make women less employable

New rules on flexible working being introduced following the Employment Act 2002 could make women less employable according to the results of a poll carried out by Croner, the UK’s leading provider of business information.

HR professionals were asked the question: “Do you think the forthcoming flexible working regulations will make employers think twice when recruiting women?” Some 60% of those responding to the Croner website survey believe that employers are likely to think twice when recruiting women as a result of the changes.

Under the regulations - which take effect on April 6, 2003 - eligible parents of children under six years of age will have the legal right to request more flexible working arrangements.

Employers must seriously consider such requests and can only refuse if they can demonstrate that the arrangement would have a detrimental affect on their business.

Dawn Spalding, editor of Croner’s 'Workplace Equality and Diversity' publication said: “The benefits of the new flexible working rules will obviously be negated if the rules result in fewer women in the workforce although the terms of the Sex Discrimination Act should protect women sufficiently.

“Employers need not be wary of flexible working. The key is knowing how to plan and implement it.”

Recommending seven steps to the process, Croner advised:

· Give all employees the opportunity to request flexible working.

· Issue a written procedure to employees notifying them about how to make a request for flexible working.

· Formalise the policy to avoid managers applying different approaches.

· Negotiate the policy as far as possible with employees.

· Protect employees from being penalised for making requests for flexible working.

· Offer additional advice to employees about making a request for flexible working.

· Monitor and evaluate the positive and negative effects of flexible working.

Dawn added: “Evidence shows that employees appreciate having more choice and more control over when, where and how they work.

“Flexible working can reduce both the stresses that rigid working hours can induce and consequently increase levels of concentration, commitment, motivation and productivity. Staff retention is also improved since flexible working gives employees the chance to stay with a company even after changes in circumstances.”

Other legislation taking effect at the same time, under the terms of the Employment Act 2002, includes an increase in Ordinary Maternity Leave from 18 to 26 weeks and an increase in Statutory Maternity Pay from £75 to £100 per week.

Meanwhile, a new right to adoption leave - which mirrors the enhanced maternity leave provisions - is being introduced and, for the first time, there will be two weeks’ paid paternity leave for qualifying employees.

(MB)