Working mothers denied right to flexible hours

More women than men are being denied the chance to work from home because of sexist bosses.

Figures published this weekend reveal that more than two-thirds of working mothers - 10 per cent more than men - complain that employers will not let them work flexibly.

Almost half of women also report a culture of rigid attitudes towards working hours.

Campaigners are warning that the findings, based on a survey by YouGov, show a huge gender gap in the workplace which penalises women who want children and a career.

Working Families, the charity which campaigns for a better work/life balance for parents, blames employers for failing in their legal responsibilities to working parents.

"Women who opt for a flexible plan are seen as less committed'," said Jonathan Swan, head of policy and research.

"Likewise, men are expected to be hands-on fathers and fit in to a 'long hours' culture."

Under EU laws, parents can ask to work flexible hours. But the research, commissioned by technology firm WebEx and based on a survey of more than 1,500 adults across the UK, found that nearly two-thirds of parents were ignorant of their rights.

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is also calling on ministers to widen access to parental leave for low-income fathers. Research published by the EOC reveals that men on lower wages still face barriers in taking time off around the birth of their child.