Tory leader looks to flexible working
- Published: 21/06/2007
Tory leader David Cameron said at the launch of an Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) that parents under a Conservative government would benefit from flexible working.
Labour first introduced measure to allow for flexible working for parents with children under six or disabled children under 18.
But parents under the scheme have said to suffer from diminished pay and prospects.
The EOC report on the contrary would like all workers, not just parents, to benefit from flexible working opportunities.
It points to the rest of Europe, where the practice is much more established.
Surveying 8,000 firms, the EOC found that fewer than half of UK employees can work flexible hours, compared to 90 per cent in many European countries.
The EOC argued that this encouraged a culture of 'presenteeism' and lowered morale amongst the UK’s 29 million workforce.
The proposals received the full backing of Tory candidate David Cameron, who told the Guardian he was putting them on trial with his own staff at the Conservative party.
Labour first introduced measure to allow for flexible working for parents with children under six or disabled children under 18.
But parents under the scheme have said to suffer from diminished pay and prospects.
The EOC report on the contrary would like all workers, not just parents, to benefit from flexible working opportunities.
It points to the rest of Europe, where the practice is much more established.
Surveying 8,000 firms, the EOC found that fewer than half of UK employees can work flexible hours, compared to 90 per cent in many European countries.
The EOC argued that this encouraged a culture of 'presenteeism' and lowered morale amongst the UK’s 29 million workforce.
The proposals received the full backing of Tory candidate David Cameron, who told the Guardian he was putting them on trial with his own staff at the Conservative party.