CYP Now - Work and Families: Government urged to push Bill ahead

Working Families has urged the Government to press ahead with its promised Work and Families Bill to promote greater flexibility in childcare and extend maternity leave and pay.

Responses to a Department for Trade and Industry consultation are due on 24 May.

Working Families spokeswoman Maggy Meade-King said: "We want to see the right to request flexible working extended to all parents and carers and we want it to be given some teeth in the sense that employment tribunals should be able to examine the case the employer puts up as a reason they have refused the right to flexible working."

Employers do not currently have to go into detail if they cite business reasons for turning down a request. Meade-King also stressed the need to push on with plans to reform parental leave and make some maternity leave transferable to fathers.

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