The government’s new proposals around flexible working, outlined today – especially
the plan to give people the right to request flexible working from day one in a
job – are a step in the right direction.
They include making the right to request flexible working a day 1 right – currently employees
need to have worked for an organisation for 26 weeks before being able to make
such a request; and shortening the period employers have to respond to flexible
working requests.
But the right to request flexible working is not the same as the right to work flexibly. Many flexible working requests are refused, often for reasons that are unclear or rely on the argument that flexible hours can’t be justified for ‘business reasons’. We also know that fathers are less likely
to request flexible working arrangements – and, if they do, are more likely to
have their requests refused. Read the full story »
Blog, FI research »
As we celebrate Father’s Day 2021, what do we know about fathers’ role in supporting their children’s learning and development – and what else would we like to find out?
News »
PLEASE NOTE: ALL INFORMATION INCLUDING REPORTS AND VIDEO ARE EMBARGOED UNTIL 0.01AM ON 11 MAY 2021
Study reveals demand to preserve large lockdown increases in fathers’ caring, schoolwork support and housework.
Blog, Practice »
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man was killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a fake $20 note in a shop.
Blog, Policy »
We have been invited by the House of Commons Petitions Committee, to feed into its exploration of whether or not to extend maternity leave for 3 months in response to the Covid-19 lockdown[1].
Blog, News »
Adrienne Burgess writes…
Reflecting on the process of industrialisation in Britain from the mid-nineteenth century, the historical demographer Peter Laslett wrote: “The most important of all the effects on the family group of the process of modernisation has undoubtedly been the physical removal from the household of the father and other earners for all of every working day .
Blog »
Mark Gatto is a working parent (PhD and Research Assistant at Northumbria School of Law and Business School) who is caring for his 14 month old son alongside his wife, who works as a doctor in the NHS.
Blog, News »
We have been asked to comment on this story about claims that fathers are using an Edinburgh maternity ward ‘like a hotel’.
Blog »
Adrienne Burgess writes:
NHS ENGLAND announced via a press release (2 December 2018) that when an expectant/new mother’s mental health has been identified as poor, a mental health assessment and relevant referrals are to be offered to her partner.