CTU MEDIA RELEASE
30 July 2007

Flexible Work Bill Excellent Step In Right Direction

The revised Flexible Working Hours Bill is an excellent step towards building a culture that recognises workers' responsibilities outside of the workplace, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

“Flexible working hours is necessary for a modern workforce and modern workplaces. We are pleased to see progress being made on a law that will give workers the confidence to request flexible working hours arrangements with employers to balance the competing demands they face.”

“Attitudes around the need to balance work, family life and other needs are changing, and there is growing acceptance that flexible working hours is one important solution.“

“The United Kingdom experience of a legislated right to request flexible hours has been overwhelmingly positive, with high levels of support from employers and employees alike.”

The revised bill, reported back by a select committee today, meet union concerns about ensuring that a collective approach to flexible working hours was taken, and that arrangements reached were consistent with any collective employment agreements in place, Beaumont said.

“At present the Bill’s scope is restricted to people with care responsibilities. This is a good first step, and we will continue to advocate for all workers to have the right to request flexible hours.”

ENDS