§ 37. Ms Beverley HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Ministers for Women have to promote family-friendly employment policies. [29113]
§ Ms RuddockThe Ministers for Women are working closely with colleagues across Government to develop family-friendly employment policies in order to support family life, welfare to work objectives and social inclusion, fairness and equality of opportunity as well as to support competitiveness within industry.
The Government are looking at ways to encourage employers to consider the benefits of family friendly employment practices which will include flexible working practices, as well as part-time or flexible hours, job sharing, term-time working, working from home and career breaks. Such arrangements can help parents, particularly mothers, balance work and family commitments and directly affect their ability to take up offers of employment.
To take this forward the Government will be implementing various European Directives as well as working closely with all employers, large and small.