Dr Brian Iddon MP Lends Support to Work/ Life Balance Campaign

Dr Brian Iddon MP has lent his support to the USDAW campaign,  promoting new rights for working parents due to be introduced on 1^st April

Dr Iddon MP said:

“At the last General Election I promised my constituents that Labour would bring in new rights for working parents and carers to help them balance their work and their life. I am delighted that these rights will be delivered at the beginning of next month.”

The two key new rights that will be introduced are:

Paid maternity leave rising from the current 6 months to 9 months

Working carers to have the right to request flexible working

Dr Iddon continued:

“The extension of paid maternity leave offers new mums much needed time at home with their babies. This right also applies to parents adopting children.

Since coming to power in 1997, Labour has increased paid maternity leave from 18 weeks to 9 months and we will be increasing it to a further full 12 months by April 2009

I am also very pleased that we have recognised the important yet difficult job that the army of working carers perform. They have some of the most acute working time issues and this new right will be a big help to them. I am asking employers in Bolton South East to look favourably on any requests for changes in working hours that come from carers they employ.

I am campaigning with USDAW for the right to request flexible working to be extended to all workers and I have signed an Early Day Motion in Parliament to support this campaign.”

John Hannett, USDAW General Secretary said,

“We are delighted that Dr Iddon is supporting our campaign for an extension of the right to request flexible working. Labour originally introduced the right for parents of children under 6, that has proved to be a big success and employers understand that it helps them attract high quality employees who would otherwise be excluded because of childcare commitments.”