A new survey by simplyhired.co.uk reveals that a lot of UK workers think that firms are not investing enough in helping out families. The biggest problem identified in the survey was an absence of family friendly policies. 73 percent were of the opinion that their firm was not family friendly, and only 36 percent described it otherwise.

A legislation introduced last year has come into force, that provides statutory right to people who have children aged sixteen or below to ask for flexible work. Yet people have had problems asking for such flexible working. About 48 percent stated that their firms did not permit them to work from their residence and another 30 percent had been frowned upon when they asked for work adjustments for taking care of their child.

Nonetheless, 28 percent stated that they had been given a bit of flexibility in times of crisis and had been allowed to shift their work timings. 24 percent stated that they had been able to work from home during emergencies and another 24 percent stated that they could work from home for any reason whatsoever. 58 percent felt that mothers are not treated correctly in matters of pay. Only 24 percent mothers felt they were treated fairly.

The director of Simply Hired, Sachin Shah stated that companies want to project the image that they are pro-family to bring the best people to them but this survey has shown that they still have a huge lacuna to fill to help out workers with families. It is significant that workers know of their rights at work and look up their bosses to see that they have policies in place that would help their family.

Workplace Law Group specialises in employment law, health and safety and premises management; accredited by the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (see NEBOSH training) to provide information, advice, training and consulting for organisations throughout the UK, to help them comply with the law and manage people in the workplace.