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The government is searching for ways to make dealing with flexible working requests easier for businesses in a new consultation.

It follows the announcement that parents of all children aged under 16 will have the right to request flexible working patterns.

Pat McFadden, employment relations minister, reveals businesses would be asked how best to minimise the administrative burden associated with the system.

The consultation will also consider ways to spread awareness of the regulations.

McFadden comments that the legislation would be beneficial as it enables employers to allow staff to better balance home and work life while also retaining the ability to refuse requests for legitimate reasons.

'Parenting requirements don't end as children get older. We think it is right to extend this successful scheme and help parents of older children access the flexibility they need,' he says.

Flexible working can include using flexi-time, annualised hours, compressed hours, job sharing or home working.