Fears over flexible hours law

More than half of employees believe that asking to work flexible hours will damage their career, according to a government study.

As a new law allows parents with children under six to work family-friendly hours, research reveals that many people will simply be too afraid to ask.

But the survey of 1,200 employers and 2,000 employees has found that, in reality, only one in 10 bosses would not consider someone for promotion-if they worked flexitime-The Employment Act 2002, which came into effect yesterday, requires all companies seriously to consider applications by employees with young or disabled children to work more flexibly.

For the first time, men will be given the right to two weeks paid paternity leave while women's maternity pay has been increased. The study, by the Department of Trade and Industry, found that one in four employees already worked flexible hours. Half of those who do not work flexitime have said they would like to.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said companies would benefit by offering flexible hours but the Institute of Directors believes that regulating on the issue is too prescriptive and the law will be an extra burden on companies.