FLEXIBLE working is a double-edged sword that can widen the gulf between male and female employees, Euro-MP Jean Lambert told a group of female managers in East London on Monday (April 26th).
Speaking at a seminar organised by the Women in Management Group, Mrs Lambert -the capital's Green Party MEP and a member of the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs committee, said men would need to both demand and take advantage of flexible working for it to contribute to workplace gender equality.
"For women, flexibility is a double-edged sword. Whilst it looks as if flexible working is accommodating women's needs, it can undermine long-term prospects and pension entitlements," she said.
"Until we see flexibility as a positive option for men too I fear women will continue to lose out."
Mrs Lambert made her comments as guest speaker during the Women in Management's spring seminar at The Millennium Centre in Dagenham.
The Women in Management group is open to present - and future - female managers in the public and voluntary sectors.
ENDS
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