International adopters get new working rights

Parents like Madonna and Guy Ritchie, who have adopted children through an international agency, can now enjoy the same flexible working rights as other parents thanks to an extension of existing legislation.

Experts at leading law firm, Cobbetts, are urging employers to make sure they are up to speed with the Regulations that came into effect on 1st October, as the extension may affect workers at all levels of a business, from those on the shop floor to the senior management team.

Judith Watson, head of employment at Cobbetts, said: ìAdopting a child requires a great deal of time and effort, and it is good news that the right to flexible working has been extended to adoptive parentsî.

ìThe Flexible Working Regulations 2002 allow parents and caregivers the right to request reduced or flexible working hours and remote working. Employers have the right to refuse the request, but only if they have a genuine business reason for doing soî.

ìOn the whole, the extension of the Flexible Working Regulations is a positive move for employees and employers alike. The more people who have access to flexible working, the happier and the more productive Britainís working population will be, and that can only be good for business.î