New rights come into force

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullD ... tment=True" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Workplace rights were boosted as new measures to help employees and employers took effect today.

Measures coming into force include:

* Right to request flexible working extended to parents of children up to 16
* Automatic penalties for employers who underpay on the National Minimum Wage
* Simpler dispute resolution rules to help workers and employers deal with workplace disputes.

An extension in annual leave rights from 24 days to 28 days for all employees took effect on Wednesday 1 April.

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said:

"Flexible working has been a great success. The change we are bringing in this month is about helping parents cope with work and family life. Both workers and employers have felt the benefits of flexible working since we first introduced the right to request.

"Fewer mothers change jobs when they return to work meaning greater continuity for businesses and more employees have been able to work hours which help them cope with parental responsibilities.

"Firms can still say no if they have legitimate business concerns, but more than 95% of all requests for flexible working from working parents and carers are now accepted, as employers recognise the benefits more and more.

"Parenting doesn't end as children get older. Extending the right to request will help more parents get the flexibility they need. The business benefits of flexible working are well documented and this remains the case in tougher economic times."

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

"New rights introduced over the last 10 years have made a real difference to people at work.

"I am hugely proud of the success of measures such as flexible working and the National Minimum Wage.

"Today we are taking another big step forward and I hope these policies continue to pay dividends to workers, families and business alike."

Notes to Editors

1. April 6th is one of two Common Commencement Dates each year, when important laws come into force. This allows companies to plan ahead and save time and money.

Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
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[POSTMAN]

An extension in annual leave rights from 24 days to 28 days for all employees took effect on Wednesday 1 April.

I'm guessing this effects us,dosen't it?Are we due more hols this year then?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

An extension in annual leave rights from 24 days to 28 days for all employees took effect on Wednesday 1 April.

I'm guessing this effects us,dosen't it?Are we due more hols this year then?

Sorry No - minimum entitlement is 28 days including bank holidays as we get 4 weeks at 5 days = 20 days (plus the 8 days BH)

[shimmyrule]

positive discrimination strikes again.
Its bad enough that me and the wife- childless- pay for all and sundry with our taxes,and once again, because ive no children, i dont get flexible working hours - anyone else feel aggrieved?
Family friendly is another sham, guys in my work, do 6 days, nights, days off blah blah, family friendly my erse.

[DGP1]

positive discrimination strikes again.
Its bad enough that me and the wife- childless- pay for all and sundry with our taxes,and once again, because ive no children, i dont get flexible working hours - anyone else feel aggrieved?
Family friendly is another sham, guys in my work, do 6 days, nights, days off blah blah, family friendly my erse.

Why don't you have a couple of kids then anyway, the legislation only allows for the person to ask for FF hours not that it is a given.

[shimmyrule]

Family friendly discriminates, its for those with family, i said i have family, pets are my kids, pets are my hobby, and a big part of my life,
If you choose to have kids,you know the story.

when i see the scumbags on my delivery area, with foul mouthed juniors, inbred , no social skills, less manners and wild to say the least, one could not possibly contemplate mixing ones own offspring at the same nursery/primary/secondary school.

Indeed, i hear that many folk who come to view the beautiful houses on the new built posh estate where i reside, are put off immediately when they find the nearest school to us is on an estate that is quite close by.

I regularaly see a notice on the nursery i deliver too, pleading for the return of size 11 lacoste trainers, which have mistakingly been taken instead of size 10 gola ones.

Or a new brand named bag/ jacket been mistakingly lifted for an old one.
Unbelievable- these scumbags are robbing from each other, at nursery!
Scum breeding scum, its all over the country - tomorrows dole scroungers, no doubt.

Breakfast at greggs, lunch at greggs, dinner at.......greggs, i rest my case.

[DGP1]

How does family friendly discriminate? As far as I can see the hours still have to be worked but only the timings change (coming in early or late) so it shouldn't inpact on you at all.

As for your 'pets are my family' it is entirely possible to have both (I have 2 kids and 8 pets) and my kids are well brought up, polite and honest, so to lump all children in with the ones you remember (after all the quiet and polite ones are easily forgotten whilst the loud and rude ones are all to easily remembered) is just wrong.

[BELIAL]

[stodgy88]

glad i dont work at side of mr angry

[BELIAL]

glad i dont work at side of mr angry

I'm glad he's on a different planet

[Stormproof]

Bit late for me to benefit from this, my 2 are 15 & 16

[Big Daz]

I simply keep the missus at home.

We didnt have children simply to work every hour god sends and pay childminders to bring them up!!!!!

[stokes11eg]

Bit late for me to benefit from this, my 2 are 15 & 16

no. this law accounts for children up to the age of sixteen! but spare athought for those of us whose children have gone, but try to care for sick and elderly parents-Our office at least don't allow for this when talking about "family friendly'

[dvbuk55]

Bit late for me to benefit from this, my 2 are 15 & 16

no. this law accounts for children up to the age of sixteen! but spare athought for those of us whose children have gone, but try to care for sick and elderly parents-Our office at least don't allow for this when talking about "family friendly'

Quite so! There is too much emphasis placed on a child based family. My children are 26, 36 and 37 and like another poster my wife only returned to work when the youngest was 6 and there was someone older to be with him before and after school if she or I was unavailable. Some rules are laughable to someone like me who brought up my family without family friendly values, maternity leave - extended maternity leave - a career break when my children were young was the sack.
There are many ways for a person to be a carer as you so rightly point out. When an elderly parent needs hospital treatment, specialist visits etc and you are the only one available to attend - where is the legislation for that I wonder?

[madelin4]

How does family friendly discriminate? As far as I can see the hours still have to be worked but only the timings change (coming in early or late) so it shouldn't inpact on you at all.

As for your 'pets are my family' it is entirely possible to have both (I have 2 kids and 8 pets) and my kids are well brought up, polite and honest, so to lump all children in with the ones you remember (after all the quiet and polite ones are easily forgotten whilst the loud and rude ones are all to easily remembered) is just wrong.

8 Pets??? Busy peeps. What kinda pets? Not 8 doggies im sure