Bob, it’s not an extension of a “right”. We all have that “right” anyway. But I certainly don’t object to parents working fewer hours or from home. For one thing, it means that there children should benefit from better/more attentive parenting anf hopefully frow up to be better human beings and support me in my old age. We all do have the right to ask for upaid leave already. And only a poor employer would routinely refuse or not supply good reasons when doing so.

The point about Parental Leave as it stood (this flexible working for parents of under-6s and disabled children) was that the employer had to have a good reason to refuse permission. It’s not simply the case that they can turn you down because they can’t be bothered. You have to be involved in some crucial process, and they have to suggest a later date, if they are going to refuse Parental Leave. What they’re doing now is extending this to more parents.

I do still think Parental Leave sucks though. Having children is a lifestyle choice and there are plenty of other lifestyle choices one could make which would require or be enabled one to have more unpaid leave. I think the rules around unpaid leave should be extended so that we can all have a go at it, within reason, if we want to, once in a while.

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Also, I understood that businesses had to demonstrate that alternative hours was impossible. In my experience in the manufacturing industry (I take on occasional temp. contracts as I’m an experienced Production Manager), businesses generally try and do what they can to accommodate working parents. In line with the legislation.

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