The right to request flexible working is to be extended to about 4.5 million parents of children aged up to 16.
The right to request flexible working is to be extended to about 4.5 million parents of children aged up to 16.
Under the current rules the opportunity is limited to parents whose children are under six or disabled.
Under the current rules the opportunity is limited to parents whose children are under six or disabled.
Following the recommendations of an independent review, Business Secretary John Hutton said the move would give a "big boost" to busy parents.
Following the recommendations of an independent review, Business Secretary John Hutton said the move would give a "big boost" to busy parents.
Leaders of small businesses have criticised the step and said it could be damaging to firms.
Leaders of small businesses have criticised the step and said it could be damaging to firms.
'Compelling argument'
'Compelling argument'
Mr Hutton said the move could help employers get the best out of the mothers and fathers in their workforce.
Mr Hutton said the move could help employers get the best out of the mothers and fathers in their workforce.
He said: "It is important that employers retain control over deciding whether it suits their business to allow people to work flexibly, but extending the right to request to parents of older children will allow families to take priority when decisions are made."
He said: "It is important that employers retain control over deciding whether it suits their business to allow people to work flexibly, but extending the right to request to parents of older children will allow families to take priority when decisions are made."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he thought the extension would be welcomed by "a lot of employers".
Any extension of the right to request flexible working is a much-needed step forward for parents Sarah JacksonWorking Families chief executive
Any extension of the right to request flexible working is a much-needed step forward for parents Sarah JacksonWorking Families chief executive
This was because the scheme "has actually been working for millions of people over the last few years", he told BBC News.
More than 90% of requests for flexible working were approved by employers last year.
More than 90% of requests for flexible working were approved by employers last year.
The review was carried out by Imelda Walsh, human resources director of Sainsbury's.
The review was carried out by Imelda Walsh, human resources director of Sainsbury's.
It said awareness needed to be raised among both employees and employers of the right to request flexible working.
It said awareness needed to be raised among both employees and employers of the right to request flexible working.
Ms Walsh said: "I am convinced that the challenges which parents with older children face are considerable, and that the arguments for raising the age to 16 are compelling.
Ms Walsh said: "I am convinced that the challenges which parents with older children face are considerable, and that the arguments for raising the age to 16 are compelling.
"This change would offer an important opportunity for parents to have extra flexibility at key times in their children's lives."
"This change would offer an important opportunity for parents to have extra flexibility at key times in their children's lives."
'Impossible position'
'Impossible position'
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the move would be "great news for parents struggling to combine work with their often hectic family lives".
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the move would be "great news for parents struggling to combine work with their often hectic family lives".
However, Federation of Small Businesses chairman Alan Tyrrell said: "The announcement puts small businesses in an impossible position.
However, Federation of Small Businesses chairman Alan Tyrrell said: "The announcement puts small businesses in an impossible position.
"You can't have an extension of flexible working and at the same time clamp down on the means by which many small businesses cope with it which is often through temporary workers.
"You can't have an extension of flexible working and at the same time clamp down on the means by which many small businesses cope with it which is often through temporary workers.
"The current flexible working regime seems to be working but the government should be cautious about extending it too far which could be damaging to small businesses and, as a result, the millions of people they employ."
"The current flexible working regime seems to be working but the government should be cautious about extending it too far which could be damaging to small businesses and, as a result, the millions of people they employ."
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said its research showed flexible working made employees happier and therefore likely to be more productive.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said its research showed flexible working made employees happier and therefore likely to be more productive.
Working Families chief executive Sarah Jackson said: "Any extension of the right to request flexible working is a much-needed step forward for parents.
Working Families chief executive Sarah Jackson said: "Any extension of the right to request flexible working is a much-needed step forward for parents.
"We know from our helpline how many parents need greater flexibility and want more time with school-aged children."
"We know from our helpline how many parents need greater flexibility and want more time with school-aged children."
Are you affected by the issues covered in this story? Are you a working parent? Are you an employer? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Are you affected by the issues covered in this story? Are you a working parent? Are you an employer? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
