New Labours flexible working patterns - do we regret embracing them?

[bobbie 10]

Under New Labour, flexible working patterns were fantastic for some people, perhaps not great for others.

 

Thanks to flexible working, we could employ people without contracts, or people who were on a never ending cycle of temporary work. Part time work created various shift patterns, as opposed to full time work.

 

Offices employed students, who often disapeared only to be replaced by another employee on a temporary contract, who was then replaced by another worker on a temporary contract.

 

Thanks to flexible working, people in permanent work were able to enjoy sabaticals, enjoy perks such as maternity time off and even paternity. No matter what was wanted a temporary worker was able to fill the gaps for a few months.

 

Now during the recession, I'm guessing many who enjoyed the benefits of having endless temporary workers (often public sector) are now not so keen on the idea of flexible working patterns, especially as they potentially are likely to be losing their jobs when the axe falls.

 

Will these people be expecting a stable, long term full time job, or will they themselves be happy to take temporary work, will they be happy to pay their bills with an 8 hour a week job?

 

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for - I think very soon, many people will regret the introdution of the flexible labour market

[TeaFan 10]

Which legislation introduced sabbaticals, the ability to employ workers without contracts and several months of paternity leave?

[Bruce_Shark 10]

If you've seen the news today, you might have noticed that a whole new raft of "flexible" working reg's might well be brought in soon.

[bobbie 10]

Which legislation introduced sabbaticals, the ability to employ workers without contracts and several months of paternity leave?

 

 

 

Don't know who brought it in, but many people enjoyed certain perks of their jobs thanks to flexible workers who didn't enjoy job security

[TeaFan 10]

If you've seen the news today, you might have noticed that a whole new raft of "flexible" working reg's might well be brought in soon.

 

Indeed, hire and fire at will. This government is intent on removing any form of stability in most peoples' lives, to be replaced with constant uncertainty and anxiety.

[TeaFan 10]

Don't know who brought it in, but many people enjoyed certain perks of their jobs thanks to flexible workers who didn't enjoy job security

 

But your thread title attributes them to New Labour and now you're saying that you don't know who brought these measures in

[bobbie 10]

Indeed, hire and fire at will. This government is intent on removing any form of stability in most peoples' lives, to be replaced with constant uncertainty and anxiety.

 

 

 

That was introduced by New Labour.

 

Come on, place the blame where its due.

[Bruce_Shark 10]

...come on, place the blame where its due.

 

OK: "...The government is said to be considering ways to ensure a more flexible labour market, including making it easier for small firms to hire and fire staff.

 

It is expected to launch a consultation later this week to consider a range of reforms.

 

Among them is a potential doubling - to two years - of the length of time someone must be employed before they can bring an unfair dismissal claim."

 

here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12148834

 

Oh, and to be clear, that's todays news, and the current Gov't.

[TeaFan 10]

That was introduced by New Labour.

 

Come on, place the blame where its due.

 

What was introduced? If it was introduced by New Labour it must have been through legislation or employment regulations. Which ones?

[bobbie 10]

Temp work

Part time work - zero hours contracts

 

All introduced by new labour

[Bruce_Shark 10]

Temp work

Part time work - zero hours contracts

 

All introduced by new labour

 

Now breath...

 

...and answer the points above please...

[TeaFan 10]

Temp work

Part time work - zero hours contracts

 

All introduced by new labour

 

Which piece of legislation made zero hours contracts lawful?

 

Temp work? I did temp work in the 1980s, and the early 90s.