Flexibility Request-Making in the Post-Right to Request (RTR) Environment

Natalie Skinner, Claire Hutchinson, Barbara Pocock

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

The Right to Request (RTR) allows for parents of pre-school children (and those with a disabled child up to 18 years) the right to request flexibility and have request reasonably considered by their employer. The 2009 and 2012 Australian Work and Life Index (AWALI) allows us to compare rates of request-making and outcomes pre- and post-RTR. In addition, we explore who is making requests, what type of flexibility is being requested, why workers do not make a request (even when they are not content with their current work arrangements) and what outcome acceptance and denial has on work-life interference. We find that the RTR has had little impact so far, mostly reflecting low awareness of the right, including amongst eligible workers. We argue for more publicity about the right, and stronger RTR provision with greater enforcement in order to change organisations where flexibility is still generally unsupported.
Original languageEnglish
Pages203-216
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes
EventAssociation of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand -
Duration: 6 Feb 2013 → …

Conference

ConferenceAssociation of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand
Period6/02/13 → …

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