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Today's news about Goverment's proposal to extend flexible working rights could change the way we work for good.

As parents of young children become more aware of their right to request a flexible working pattern, we consider whether the wide bases on which an employer can legitimately refuse an application really do make this a "toothless" law.

Those of you who read my recent update on the Government's proposal to extend flexible working rights to parents of children of all ages will be aware of the potential effect this proposal might have on traditional working patterns in the workplace.

At present, providing they have 26 weeks' continuous service, parents of children under six years old have the right to request a permanent change to their working pattern, providing that the request is made for child care purposes.

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Update 40 - The Commission’s Opinion is good news for employers who currently require to make use of the 48 hour week opt-out. The Commission said that “while being in principle supportive of the eventual phasing out of the opt-out, the Commission does not consider that the present conditions allow for the phasing-out of the opt-out”. The Commission also considered various other proposals of the European Parliament to amend the Directive.