Employment Law Update (October 2008)
Mandelson takes over at BERR - and announces review of
flexible working extension
The proposed extension of the right to request flexible working
to parents of school-aged children pencilled in for April 2009
looks set to be deferred following comments by Peter Mandelson, the
new Minister in charge of employment policy.
Although the Government maintains that no final decision has
been taken, the deteriorating economic outlook looks sure to have
an impact on the timing of the introduction of further "family
friendly" measures, including further flexible working rights and
increased maternity leave.
Peter Mandelson is now the Minister in charge of employment
policy, following a reshuffle by Gordon Brown on the 3rd
of October. The move, which is designed to bolster Government
experience in key areas during the financial crisis, is sure to
have an impact on industry generally and particularly in employment
relations.
When he was previously in charge at the DTI (the previous name
for BERR), Peter Mandelson was responsible for the introduction of
the National Minimum Wage, but is seen by some as being too
"employer - friendly" in its outlook.