MP helps Working Parents with Work/Life Balance

Sandra Osborne MP is promoting  new rights for working parents, which is to be introduced on 1 April 2007.

Sandra said:
‘At the last General Election I promised my constituents Labour would bring in new rights for working parents and carers to help them balance work and life.  I am delighted that they will be delivered at the beginning of April.

Two new rights will be introduced:

• Paid maternity leave rising from the current 6 months to 9 months
• Working carers will have the right to request flexible working

Sandra said:
‘Since coming to power in 1997 Labour has increased paid maternity leave from 18 weeks to 9 months and we will increase it further to a full 12 months by April 2009

I am also very pleased that we have recognised the important yet difficult job that the army of working carers perform.  They have some of the most acute working time issues and this new right will be a big help to them.  I am now asking employers in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Constituency to look favourably on any requests for changes in working hours that come from carers that they employ.

I am now campaigning with Usdaw for the right to request flexible working to be extended to all workers and I have signed Early Day Motion 1018 to support the campaign.’

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:
‘We are delighted that Sandra is supporting our campaign for an extension of the right to request flexible working.

Labour originally introduced the right for parents of children under 6.  That has proved to be a big success and employers understand that it helps them attract high quality employees who would otherwise be excluded because of childcare issues.’