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The government has announced plans to extend flexible working rights to all parents with children under the age of 16.
Prime minister Gordon Brown said the move would not have a negative effect on the economy and pointed out that it gives parents the right to ask for flexible working – not an automatic right to be granted it.
The changes, applying to all businesses from corner shops to international companies, will come into force next April and could see mothers and fathers working from home or reducing their working hours.
Currently those with children under six – an estimated 3.6 million employees - have the right to request flexible working.
Next April the right will be extended to another 4.5 million parents – once they have been in a job for six months.
Mr Brown said: "The right to request flexible working has been working for lots of people over the last few years. It is working for parents of young children and now it can apply to children under 16 where families need time off to help bring them up."
Business secretary John Hutton MP said employers get the best out of working parents when they allow them to work flexibly.
