The introduction of an extension to flexible working rules are among the regulations to be delayed as the government concentrates efforts on supporting small businesses through the economic downturn, press reports claim.
According to The Independent, business secretary Peter Mandelson has instructed officials to review all forthcoming legislation to ensure that any resulting extra burdens placed on business owners do not force them to cut jobs, slash investment or go bankrupt.
Among the regulations likely to be delayed, the newspaper says, are extending the right to flexitime to parents with children under 16, the extension of paid maternity leave from 39 to 52 weeks and the introduction of a new bank holiday.
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