The right to ask - Flexible Working Hours

For those students studying AS Geography then the news that "the right to ask" law has been extended should be important to you.

This law states that working parents have the right to ask for flexible working hours if they care for children under the age of 6, or, under the age of 18 if the child has a disability. Employers are not obliged to meet this request.

Today it was announced that this right will be extended to parents who have children under the age of 16. This means that approximately 4.5 million workers now have the right to ask their employer for flexible working hours.

For those studying the AQA B syllabus this is relevant to the GGB1 module that looks at the changing sectoral and spatial organisation of business; gender differences in employment and other changes in employment.

What are the possible consequences, both positive and negative of this change?