Consensus Builds For Flexible Working Hours Access For All Workers

“It is very encouraging to see a consensus building that flexible work is important for all New Zealand workers, not just parents of children under five years or with disabilities, as the current Bill before Parliament provides for,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

The Department of Labour today released the results of consultation from late last year on key issues and possible approaches for quality flexible work.

“United Kingdom experience of flexible working hours legislation has been very positive, and that country is now debating the extenstion of it to all parents.” 

“In terms of ways to achieve flexible work, we are pleased to see that the highest level of support in the consultation is for specific legislative provisions for a workers’ right to request flexible work,” Carol Beaumont said.

Unions continued to bargain for improvements in collective employment agreements that increased work-life balance, Carol Beaumont said.  "But this is an issue that also needs support in the law."