If any of us were in doubt as to the Government’s commitment to their campaign to support family friendly culture in business, then those doubts should be put aside now.

It had been suggested by business leaders that the Government would try to put on hold some of the extension of employment rights in the current economic climate because of the potential pressure on businesses. The Government however has decided to proceed.

On 12 March the Government published the Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies)(Amendment) Regulations 2009. These (delightfully entitled) Regulations extend the right to apply for flexible working to employees with parental responsibility for children under 17 from 6 April 2009. The right previously only applied to children under 6 and all disabled children under 18, as well as employees who care for certain dependent adults.

Don’t forget also that April marks the annual increase to SMP and SSP rates, as well as the final increase in statutory paid holiday to 20 + 8 bank holidays for a full-time worker.