Clause 30 - Flexible working
Employment Relations Bill
10:30 am
Mr Bill Tynan (Hamilton South, Labour)
I welcome the measures in the clause because they strengthen the provisions relating to unfair dismissal for those who take advantage of their statutory right to flexible working. The existing legislation contains a number of limitations on those wishing to enforce their rights and the changes would reduce that number.
I believe in fairness, justice and the opportunity for protection where possible. I remember when the two-year industrial tribunal qualification was introduced. Some employers took the opportunity to employ people for two years and pay them off a week before the two years were up in order to rehire them on a new contract. That was completely unfair. I would be interested to know whether the clause will remove the upper-age limit for flexible working. Does it reduce the qualifying period—I hope it does—to 26 weeks for flexible working, and does it provide protection in cases of redundancy and industrial action?