Good GOD team we did it!!!!!! Today Minister Hollinrake put the flexible working regulations to Parliament where they will become law in April 2024 😭🎉 The Acas Statutory Code of Practice on Flexible Working – which set out what it means to handle a request in a reasonable manner - is also landing then. Together they will make it harder for you to be pushed out the workplace for daring to have a baby. Or other caring responsibilities. Or disabilities that mean you can’t schlep into the office. You will have a legal right to request flexible working from day one on the job. Plus it will be harder for your boss to reject your request after the new laws. Always more to push for (flex by default is up next) but when I started Flex Appeal eight years ago I genuinely didn’t see the day when the words ‘Flexible Working’ would be attached to a bill. Entrenched in law. Huge love to my Flex Appeal team at Old Square chambers. That’s four of the UK’s top employment lawyers: Ljeoma Omambala QC, Rebecca Tuck QC, Eleena Misra, Nadia Motraghi. And my right hand women @shoutybear and Carly Claydon-Davies. And to all the charities and organisations that fought tooth and nail to get this cemented into legislation Pregnant Then Screwed @fawcettsociety @workingfamuk @fatherhoodinst @maternityaction Now to make flexible working the default… watch this space 👀 #FLEXAPPEAL
We owe you and your team so much. Thank you. Like others have said, I dearly hope my children never go through what many of us have in the corporate world. I hope they can undertake meaningful, progressive work as well as raising children and never experience "you only work part time?" comments from ignorant old-timers that don't see the world has evolved. Why empower women to fantastic academic achievements and careers before kids only to deny them the chance to continue to contribute when they become parents. Your team have achieved something so monumental and necessary here, for millions of people.
One aspect I wish would be considered by organisations, Many now conduct equality impact assessments to review the impact that their actions/decisions have on some protected groups. But I believe this should be extended to include caring/family impacts. E.g the loss of a bus service could be catastrophic for a family who rely on the income someone gets from work that they can only access via that bus service. Equally, repeated failures of transport to be reliable has a disproportionate impact on those with caring responsibilties, who can't just get up earlier to catch earlier transport to ensure they are there on time, as the care provider doesn't open till a set time.
This is HUGE. What an impact this will make on millions of people who need flexible working to be able to work. It’s needed. It’s expected. And in April 24 these Laws will support so many people, but especially women who face systemic barriers to earning a decent living wage. Thank you to all the team behind this huge milestone 🙏🤩🙌 Now to get the 5.8million business leaders engaged, to step up and do the right thing proactively.
This is incredible. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improving the workplace. My hope is that when my son and daughter step foot in the corporate world, they will not ever be subjected to some of the things their mummy has. Namely, being made redundant when pregnant with baby girl and being forced to explain to the new sales director why he should keep my job open for me when I was on maternity leave with my son!! Amazing, inspiring females like you will make this world a nicer place for my children. Thank you.
Well done. Such an incredible achievement and it is going to be game changing for so many women wanting to continue their career and have a family. The 2 are not separate of each other and shouldn’t be treated as so. Flexible working will mean the world to so many families. X
This is truly incredible, so proud of everyone who’s been part of this journey. It will certainly be a catalyst to accelerate much needed progress. 👏🏻 However, now the really hard work happens. Regardless of law or policy sadly most organisational culture is still in the dark ages around the flexibility required so we can all thrive.
Flexible working should come default to mothers. I resonate the situation when asking flexible working for your child turns out to be a reason for not getting right work at workplace. And if it wasn't favorable for us but at least we try it shouldn't be the situation for our generation to come. Great read this morning, I trust many other countries and legislation can follow.
Such an incredible achievement, honestly, a huge well done to you and your team! To think this was something that had to be fought for in 2023, after the pandemic and remote working conditions! Because of your initiative, women can now have a career, climb that progressive ladder, and tend to our babies and children, not missing out on life with them and suffering from 'Mum-guilt', all whilst working flexibly. Thank you 🙌
This is fabulous, I / we are so bloody proud of the hard work you’ve put into this on behalf of people with any kind of caring responsibilities, and those who want to be flexible at work to suit their lives. What an achievement 🥰
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8moWell done! I live and work in Sweden but since the pandemic a lot of places of work have gone back to "on site" and are pressuring their employees to be in the office, instead of keeping the flexible working set up, making the life puzzle so much harder. Before the pandemic a lot of parents had to go down in hours and many had stress related sick leaves. Such a shame if we had to go back to that. So this I hope will serve as an inspiration and a guiding ⭐