“Balancing work and family life is one of the biggest challenges facing British Families”

Commenting upon the government’s plans for flexitime working patterns, Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said:

4Children welcomes government’s proposals to make the workplace more family friendly. Plans to support fathers into taking on more flexible working arrangements are an encouraging indicator that government is recognizing that balancing work and family life is one of the biggest challenges facing British families.

However, in order to achieve the government’s stated aim of making Britain the most family friendly country in Europe this will need to be the start of a journey not the end of the road.  Increases in the level of maternity and paternity pay and lengthening paternity leave entitlement are other areas requiring action. 

Finally, employers must play a key role.  Still too often employers see family friendly reforms as a burden when the evidence from forward thinking employers shows that being family friendly is good for business.  More employees will only feel able to take advantage of reforms such as those announced today when they think they are pushing at an open door with their bosses.”

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