2015: the year of shared parental leave and greater equality at work and home?

2015 sees the introduction of a new right for mums and dads to share the year of leave after their baby is born. It’s a major change, but many employers and employees are still unclear of how it will work despite employees being allowed to request it since early December. Part of the reason is Continue reading..

The extension of flexible working – six months on

It’s just over six months since new legislation came in which entitles all employees to request flexible working. The aim was to level the playing field so employees did not feel parents and carers were getting special treatment and to create a more flexible working culture. But how has the legislation gone down so far? Continue reading..

Doing more than one job: the new norm?

The number of people doing more than one job is increasing. For some it is the only way to get by in the current financial climate. Others find it gives them greater flexibility and more independence if they adopt what is referred to as a “portfolio career”. A recent survey found the number of people Continue reading..

You calling me un-committed?

A recent survey of employees by employment law and discrimination solicitors Doyle Clayton found 20% of staff think flexible and part-time workers are less committed than their colleagues, with Generation Y workers, aged 25 to 34, most likely to hold negative opinions. The perception of lack of commitment is one that persists and even if Continue reading..

The resistent worker

Are you resilient? Resilience is fast gaining currency in more progressive workplaces. As the impact of stress at work becomes more clear – the Health and Safety Executive estimates it costs the economy over £6bn a year –  and as the workforce ages, there is an increasing emphasis on staying power, lasting the distance and Continue reading..

21st century working

At the end of June the right to request flexible working was extended to all employees. Previously it only applied to parents and carers. Surveys just before the new legislation came into force suggested many employers were either unaware of the changes or had made no plans to accommodate them. A survey by online freelance Continue reading..

Comeback kings and queens

Have you taken a career break and are you finding it hard to get back into the workforce? The financial services organisation Morgan Stanley is among a growing number of employers launching initiatives aimed at returners in recognition that there is a big talent pool of people who have left the workforce for various reasons Continue reading..

A work revolution

We’ve all heard about the advantages of flexible working for employees and more recently there have been a number of companies emphasising the business benefits. But a recent report has highlighted the wider social advantages of new ways of working – from local economic regeneration to greater democracy and environmental benefits. The report entitled It’s Continue reading..

Changing expectations

Shared parental leave is coming in later next April and, although employers are preparing for it, most think it will have little impact, at least initially. The evidence from what has happened with additional paternity leave seems to back this up. Research by law firm EMW last month [March] found only 2% of the 209,000 Continue reading..

Finding work after a career break

Whether you’ve just been made redundant or have taken a few years’ career break, looking for a new job can be a complicated business these days since the whole landscape has changed with the advent of social media. There’s much more emphasis on self promotion and taking a proactive, creative approach. But well before all Continue reading..