Keep it in the family

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has urged solicitors to get fully up to speed with new family friendly legislation, which is set to come in to force in April.

The EOC has warned that many small businesses are not confident about their knowledge of employment law and see solicitors as one of their most important sources of advice and information.

To help solicitors, the EOC has produced a free guide to flexible working as part of its 'Carry on Equality' campaign.

It also has dedicated pages on its Web site featuring employer case studies from a number of different organisations and case summaries of employment tribunal decisions which relate to flexible working.

The new legislation means that from 6 April, parents of young children have the right to request flexible working hours.

It also encourages the employer and employee to work out an arrangement which suits them both.

Julian Hemming, chairman of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) and a partner at Bristol-based Osborne Clarke, said the ELA had already sent its members detailed information, which is issued by the Department of Trade and Industry, about the new legislation.

'Although ELA members should all be aware of the changes, I do not know how up to date other lawyers are,' he said.

'There is such a huge amount of employment legislation out there that the average high street practitioner may have difficulty in keeping up.

In these cases, the EOC's campaign will prove very useful.'

Victoria MacCallum