General election 2019: Labour promises flexible working hours and extra maternity pay in ‘workplace revolution for women’ Labour announced it would extend statutory maternity pay from nine to 12 months or increase the time available for shared parental leave

All staff would gain the right to choose their working hours to suit them from their first day in a new job under Labour plans to bring about a “workplace revolution for women”.

Employees would be entitled to request a flexible work pattern unless their company could demonstrate that it was not suitable for the post.

In other moves, Labour announced it would extend statutory maternity pay from nine to 12 months or increase the time available for shared parental leave.

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It would require larger employers to introduce flexible working policies that cater for women going through the menopause.

‘Workplace revolution’

Rules on tackling sexual harassment in the workplace would be strengthened, making employers liable for any harassment experienced by staff by “third parties” such as customers or clients.

Companies would also be required to publish their sexual harassment policy on their website and the steps being taken to enforce it.

The measures would be monitored by a new workers’ protection agency which would have the power to fine employers who fail to tackle their “gender pay gap”.

And the role of trade union equality representatives would be enshrined in law.

The shadow women and equalities secretary, Dawn Butler, highlighted statistics showing that women earn an average of 13.1 per cent less than men. She said it was disgraceful that women effectively worked for free for the rest of the year from next Thursday.

“I’m sick of how women are treated at work. Audits aren’t enough, we know there’s a problem that needs fixing,” Ms Butler said.

“Labour will deliver a workplace revolution to bring about a step change in how women are treated at work.

“We’ll boost pay, increase flexibility, and strengthen protections against harassment and discrimination.”

Women in employment

But the Business Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, claimed the Labour proposals would cost jobs.

“Their reckless plans would cripple businesses across the country – leaving hardworking people to pay the price,” she said.

The Tories argued that numbers of women in employment reached a record high under the government, and that the gender pay gap had fallen to a record low.

Your rights explained

Workers currently have the right to request a flexible working pattern if they have been in a job for six months. Their employer can wait another three months before making a decision – and if they refuse the staff member can appeal to an employment tribunal.

The key feature of Labour’s plan is that it would create a legal presumption in favour of flexible working from the moment a new recruit walks through the door.

When creating a job companies would be required to begin from the basis that the role can be carried out flexibly. The onus would be on an employer to demonstrate that any particular job is unsuitable for flexible working, rather than on the worker to show that it is.