HR departments across the UK are in a flap because some Government policy bods have suggested giving temps paid leave to care for sick relatives.
According to research from left-wing thinktank IPPR, which was commissioned by the Government to find ways of improving work/life balance, paid leave for carers including temporary workers should be considered.
But Ben Willmott, an adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), disagrees. ‘We think the right to request flexible working should be extended to all employees but we wouldn’t support the call for paid time off to care for sick relatives for any employees, temporary or permanent.
‘Evidence has shown that employers are increasingly providing flexible working opportunities and as this good practice spreads, there will be less need for legislation.’