New helpline service on flexible working

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

New helpline service on flexible working

The government has launched an improved Acas helpline service designed to give help and guidance about the new raft of family friendly employment rights and other work matters to both employers and parents.

The launch comes ahead of a government campaign to raise awareness about the new employment measures, which start on 6 April 2003.

Family friendly measures

From April 2003, flexible working will be on every company's agenda. Parents of children under six, or disabled children under 18, will have the right to request to work flexibly and to have these requests considered seriously by their employer.

In essence, the new rights mean more pay and leave for new mothers, fathers and adoptive parents. Employers will also have to seriously consider requests from parents with young or disabled children to work more flexibly.

The government believes that flexible working will give parents greater support and choice with balancing work and childcare and help employers retain valuable skills and experience. Trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "The new employment rights will be a major step forward in helping businesses hold onto good staff and help millions of working parents balance work and childcare. I urge both employers and employees to call the helpline to find out how they can make these changes work for business."

What's happening in April 2003?

The Employment Act 2002 introduces new employment legislation specifically to help working parents. The key measures, which come into force on 6 April 2003, include:

Flexible working Parents of children aged under six and disabled children aged under 18 will have the right to apply to work flexibly and their employers will have a duty to consider their requests seriously.

Maternity leave Maternity leave will be increased to 26 weeks' ordinary maternity leave (paid) and 26 weeks' additional maternity leave (unpaid). Standard statutory maternity pay (SMP) will increase to £100 a week. In addition, changes to national insurance threshold will mean that 60% of all UK firms will be able to claim back over 100% of the SMP they pay out - an increase of 10,000 companies. Rules governing employers' handling of maternity leave will be simplified, and will also apply to the new paternity and adoption leave and pay rights.

Paternity leave A new right to two weeks' paid paternity leave within eight weeks of the birth of a child or the placement of a child newly-placed for adoption. Payment will be at the same standard rate as SMP.

Adoption leave Adoption leave will be introduced for parents adopting a child newly placed with them. As far as possible, provisions for adoption leave will mirror provisions for maternity pay and leave.

A final word

Want to know more?

The new national helpline number is, tel: 08457 474747. It is run by the arbitration and conciliation service, Acas, and is open from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm every weekday. Calls are charged at local call rate. All calls are treated as strictly confidential and callers reach an experienced adviser directly.

Acas's experienced helpline advisers have been specially trained to give callers in-depth guidance on the new rights for working parents and to talk through the best options for them and their organisation. The Acas web site is www.acas.org.uk.

For more information on the employment rights for working parents visit www.dti.gov.uk/er/individual/workparents_features.htm or take a look at www.tiger.gov.uk.

Posted 17 January 2003