LAWYERS have warned that a shake-up in the workplace could see employers struggling to cope with new obligations to their employees.

Employment experts at law firm Ward Hadaway say that changes to flexible working rights and the introduction of shared parental leave could make life very difficult for some companies and organisations to cope with, particularly smaller businesses.

Joe Thornhill, partner and joint head of employment at the North-East firm, said: "Whilst it may be laudable for the Government to want to make modern workplaces more family-friendly, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that this often doesn't tally with the demands placed on businesses by their clients and customers.

"Having well-motivated staff who feel valued by their employer is clearly good for business, but there is a concern that without adequate time and resources to put contingency plans in place, some companies, particularly those with a smaller workforce, could really suffer if they are faced with a string of requests for flexible working and parental leave."

A new regime for flexible working comes into force at the end of June.

Whereas previously the right to request flexible working could only be made by employees with young children, that right is being extended to all employees with a minimum of 26 weeks' continuous service, who will be able to make one such request in a 12-month period.

Whilst employers are not obliged to grant requests for flexible working, they will have to deal with any such request in what is described as a "reasonable manner" within a three month "decision period".

Employers do have the option not to grant requests for flexible working, but such rejections can only be made for specific reasons laid down in law.

Mr Thornhill explained: "Employers and employees have had to deal with a more prescriptive Right to Request flexible working regime for the last 10 years but these changes will open up a larger pool of potential staff who may want to change their working hours, working times or locations.

"Employers will also need to familiarise themselves with the new ACAS Code which provides guidance on the new regime to ensure they comply with the alterations."