02/12/2014
New Rights For Working Parents Announced
New rights for working parents that will allow leave and pay entitlement to be shared have passed the Final Stage debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The Work and Families Bill, which includes an extension of the right to request flexible working, will allow eligible families to choose how they balance work and caring commitments.
The right to request flexible working will be extended to all employees who have worked for their employer for 26 weeks or more.
Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry said: "The Bill will not in any way compromise the rights of mothers to take the full entitlement that is currently provided for in the current arrangements. We know that women are already performing better than men in many different aspects and levels of the education and training system.
"However, there are issues about representation of women within some key sectors of the economy, most notably those that are set to grow most rapidly over the coming years.
"Furthermore, there are factors regarding retention and progression of women in the workplace. I believe that the measures contained in this Bill will make an important contribution to the work that is ongoing to promote gender equality within the workplace and wider society."
(IT/JP)
The Work and Families Bill, which includes an extension of the right to request flexible working, will allow eligible families to choose how they balance work and caring commitments.
The right to request flexible working will be extended to all employees who have worked for their employer for 26 weeks or more.
Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry said: "The Bill will not in any way compromise the rights of mothers to take the full entitlement that is currently provided for in the current arrangements. We know that women are already performing better than men in many different aspects and levels of the education and training system.
"However, there are issues about representation of women within some key sectors of the economy, most notably those that are set to grow most rapidly over the coming years.
"Furthermore, there are factors regarding retention and progression of women in the workplace. I believe that the measures contained in this Bill will make an important contribution to the work that is ongoing to promote gender equality within the workplace and wider society."
(IT/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 June 2005
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
13 June 2002
FSB express concern over Employment Bill
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the positive aspects of the recent Employment Bill, but expressed concern on how it will affect the Small Business Community in Northern Ireland. The statement followed a meeting between an FSB delegation and the assembly's employment and learning committee.
FSB express concern over Employment Bill
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the positive aspects of the recent Employment Bill, but expressed concern on how it will affect the Small Business Community in Northern Ireland. The statement followed a meeting between an FSB delegation and the assembly's employment and learning committee.
03 August 2009
'Flexible Working' Consultation Underway
Public consultation begins today on two employment rights proposals. The first is to extend the right to request flexible working to cover wider groups.
'Flexible Working' Consultation Underway
Public consultation begins today on two employment rights proposals. The first is to extend the right to request flexible working to cover wider groups.
15 March 2007
Human rights lawyer to chair NI Bill of Rights Forum
Leading Australian Human Rights Lawyer and activist, Chris Sidoti has been appointed as the independent Chair of the new Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum. British Human Rights Minister David Hanson said the appointment of Mr Sidoti will bring a level of expertise to the Forum which will be invaluable as it takes forward its work.
Human rights lawyer to chair NI Bill of Rights Forum
Leading Australian Human Rights Lawyer and activist, Chris Sidoti has been appointed as the independent Chair of the new Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum. British Human Rights Minister David Hanson said the appointment of Mr Sidoti will bring a level of expertise to the Forum which will be invaluable as it takes forward its work.
04 September 2001
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.