Flexible working is not a burden, employment tribunal statistics reveal

The release of employment tribunal statistics has revealed that the introduction of the right to request flexible working is not a burden on business.

Over the past 12 months, only ten successful cases have been brought against employers for failure to adhere to flexible working rules, according to figures obtained by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Moreover, out of 218,100 employment tribunal claims made in 2010-11 by employeers, just 277 alleged that organisations had failed to follow flexible work rules.

Mike Emmott, CIPD employee relations adviser, stated: "[Employment tribunal figures] demonstrate beyond any doubt that the fears expressed about the impact of extending the right to request flexible working are grossly exaggerated."

According to Mr Emmott the successful adjustment of employers to the extension of the law is attributable to the fact that most recognise that flexible working is an integral part of the modern workplace.

Litigation over flexible working conflicts have been very limited across the European Union, according the European Human Rights Commission.

However, the dissemination of flexible working options remains uneven.

The public sector has reported a higher availability and take-up of flexible working than other areas of employment.

This has largely been attributed to its predominantly female workforce.

Published by Phil Hammond