Significant progress: Ageing Better welcomes new worker rights on carer’s leave and flexible working

The Centre for Ageing Better has welcomed new employment legislation changes which are likely to benefit older workers. 
 
New legislation, including three Government backed cross party Acts, came into force on Saturday granting workers across the country more flexibility over where and when they work.

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act means employees now have the right to request reasonable flexible working from their first day of employment, with those requests subject to business approval.

The improved flexible working entitlement, supported by a revised Acas Statutory Code of Practice, requires employers to consider and discuss any requests made by their employee within two months of a request, down from the previous requirement of three months.  Employees also now have the right to two requests a year. 
 
The legislation also creates a new entitlement to a week of leave for unpaid carers who are caring for a dependant with a long-term care need. This will enable carers to better balance their caring and work responsibilities, supporting them to remain in employment. 
 
The changes also see the introduction of new employment protections, including redundancy protections for pregnant women and new parents alongside new flexible paternity leave.  

“We welcome this legislation coming into force which marks significant progress towards making workplace cultures more flexible and inclusive. This will particularly benefit older workers and anyone managing a health condition or caring responsibilities alongside work.  

“Strengthening the rights of employees is an important step to creating more flexible workplaces, ensuring that employers think more proactively about how jobs can be done flexibly.  

“At the Centre for Ageing Better, we know flexible working is the number one priority for older workers – whether that’s enabling them to stay in a job or to find a new one. And without the possibility of flexible work, many older people may struggle to return to employment.     

“We hope this legislation will mean more employees are aware of their rights and confident in asking for flexible working and carers’ leave which we believe ultimately will allow many more older workers to remain in work. It could also increase the range of jobs that older workers feel are open to them. Ultimately this will also benefit employers who will have a greater pool of talent to draw on and a more committed and diverse workforce.”